A Pennsylvania Air National Guardsman, who called himself a "Hamas operative," has been federally charged after allegedly committing vandalism, making explosives, and attempting to obtain a top-secret security clearance.

A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh issued a superseding indictment on Tuesday against Guardsman Mohamad Hamad, 23, of Coraopolis, and two female Pittsburgh residents after Hamad allegedly defaced a synagogue and developed explosives with help from the women.

Hamad enlisted in the state's Air National Guard in 2023 and allegedly made false statements while seeking a top-secret security clearance.

He also allegedly made and detonated pipe bombs and conspired with one of the women who was charged, Micaiah Collins, to build a destructive device, as well as discuss the potential uses for it.

The indictment alleges that Hamad called himself a "Hamas operative" in private messages and mentioned that residents of "white suburbia" might have felt "terror" if they saw him dressed in a mask while ripping up Israeli flags.

Hamad and the other woman, Tayla Lubit, were indicted in November for allegedly vandalizing Jewish religious property with pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist graffiti.

If convicted, Hamad faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while Collins faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and Lubit faces one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

“As alleged in the Superseding Indictment, Mohamad Hamad lied about his loyalty to the United States, among other false statements, in an attempt to obtain a Top-Secret security clearance,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rivetti said in a statement on Wednesday.

“During that time, he openly expressed support for Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Hamas. In addition to his previously charged role in defacing Jewish religious property, he also conspired with others named in this Superseding Indictment to manufacture and detonate destructive devices.”

“Protecting the American people is spelled out in the Mission of the FBI. That includes all our communities,” FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek said in a statement on Wednesday. “The FBI and our partners are committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who reportedly choose to lie about being loyal to this country and instead engage in dangerous, menacing, and illegal activities.”