An Irvine man has been taken into custody after one of his family members alerted police that he spoke about committing murder, leading investigators to discover "kill lists" of local prominent Jewish leaders, including some in the entertainment industry.
According to the Orange County Register, Nicholas Rose, 26, pleaded not guilty Thursday to three felony counts of attempted criminal threats and three misdemeanor counts of civil rights violations that can be upgraded to hate crimes.
The report states that a member of Rose's family grew disturbed by his comments and contacted the Orange Police Department on Monday.
On Tuesday Rose was taken into custody after they searched his home and discovered 22-caliber ammunition, anti-Semitic literature, “kill lists” with names of local Jewish community members and a list of steps entitled, “Killing my first Jew.”
Additionally investigators discovered papers noting a synagogue and a Greek Orthodox Church, both in Irvine, and a Russian Orthodox Church in Lake Forest.
According to Senior Deputy District Attorney Jeff Moore, he didn't know how many people were on the “kill lists” but did assert that the lists included some well-known names in the entertainment industry.
Moore said investigators are searching Rose's computer and phone and have uncovered writings described as "rambling."
“From his writings it’s hard tell exactly what direction he’s going in or who he was angry with,” Moore said. “He was apparently displeased with some churches that he thought were sympathetic to the Jewish cause."
Rose is due in court on April 27 and faces six years in prison if convicted.
