A man associated with a pro-Palestinian group suspected in a series of vandalism acts targeting “prominent public institutions” faced charges Monday after the Massachusetts State House in Boston was vandalized with paint last month.Jermaiah Yusuf Sawaqed, 25, of Everett, was arrested Thursday and appeared in Boston Municipal Court.On July 23, white paint was poured on the State House gate, and concrete columns were spray-painted. Video from the scene showed paint splattered on a concrete pillar and the State House steps. The suspect also appeared to attempt to write the words “Divest” or “Divert” on a concrete pillar. The suspect, later identified as Sawaqed, fled into the Boston Common, which prompted a search with members of the FBI and the Massachusetts State Police. A trooper observed “white paint footprints” believed to have been left by Sawaqed as he fled and two suspicious objects, which were believed to be homemade improvised explosive devices, according to a criminal complaint.Video: Who is Jermaiah Sawaqed? Sawaqed is associated with a group known as the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), which has taken credit for a number of acts of vandalism in Massachusetts, according to the complaint. The group is described as an extreme anti-Zionist organization. Federal officials said they became aware of Sawaqed in May after he appeared in a video in urging followers to target government buildings and corporate logistics networks, officials said. “Sawaqed has been identified as a central and active participant in a series of organized, politically motivated acts of vandalism, targeting prominent public institutions, including the Massachusetts State House, the George Washington Monument on the Public Garden and the MIT Stata Center,” the complaint read. Video below: Previous coverage of State House vandalismWhen he was taken into custody last week, officials searched a vehicle belonging to the suspect’s mother that Sawaqed used and found traces of white paint and a device consistent with those discovered on the Boston Common. Several DAMPL fliers and two empty gasoline cans were also found.”Sawaqed’s actions have been deliberate, calculated and in furtherance of an ideology that advocates disruption through violence and criminal activity,” the complaint states. “He has shown a clear disregard for public safety and government property and has demonstrated the capability and willingness to escalate these acts through his association with DAMPL.” Sawaqed was charged with vandalism and destruction of property, vandalizing a war or veterans memorial and possession, transportation or use of a hoax device or substance. His bail was set at $30,000 and he is due back in court next week. 5 Investigates learned Sawaqed went to high school in Colorado before moving to Massachusetts to attend UMass Dartmouth. He graduated in 2022. On his LinkedIn profile, he described himself as a “dedicated bioengineer.” Video below: Closer look at vandalismSawaqed’s mother, Naila Dahabrah, said her son is innocent and is being punished for his views on Gaza.”He does not belong to any group. They have no evidence,” she said. According to court documents, Dahabrah was arrested for assault and battery on a police officer after she spat in the face of a detective who was serving a search warrant last week. The Anti-Defamation League’s New England chapter released the following statement regarding Sawaqed’s arrest: “A Massachusetts man, known to be associated with DAMPL, has been arrested after vandalizing the Massachusetts State House. He has been charged with vandalism, destruction of property, vandalizing a war or veterans memorial and possession, and transportation or use of a hoax device or substance. We thank law enforcement for their vigilance and action.”The ADL tells 5 Investigates they’ve been monitoring DAMPL since the group was formed back in the spring. Members call themselves “DAMPL Action Comrades” and coordinate activities through social media and social messaging apps. “Once they started taking credit for real world vandalisms, we put a lot of effort into investigating them and providing information to law enforcement,” said ADL Executive Director Samantha Joseph.
A man associated with a pro-Palestinian group suspected in a series of vandalism acts targeting “prominent public institutions” faced charges Monday after the Massachusetts State House in Boston was vandalized with paint last month.
Jermaiah Yusuf Sawaqed, 25, of Everett, was arrested Thursday and appeared in Boston Municipal Court.
On July 23, white paint was poured on the State House gate, and concrete columns were spray-painted. Video from the scene showed paint splattered on a concrete pillar and the State House steps. The suspect also appeared to attempt to write the words “Divest” or “Divert” on a concrete pillar.
The suspect, later identified as Sawaqed, fled into the Boston Common, which prompted a search with members of the FBI and the Massachusetts State Police.
A trooper observed “white paint footprints” believed to have been left by Sawaqed as he fled and two suspicious objects, which were believed to be homemade improvised explosive devices, according to a criminal complaint.
Video: Who is Jermaiah Sawaqed?
Sawaqed is associated with a group known as the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), which has taken credit for a number of acts of vandalism in Massachusetts, according to the complaint. The group is described as an extreme anti-Zionist organization.
Federal officials said they became aware of Sawaqed in May after he appeared in a video in urging followers to target government buildings and corporate logistics networks, officials said.
“Sawaqed has been identified as a central and active participant in a series of organized, politically motivated acts of vandalism, targeting prominent public institutions, including the Massachusetts State House, the George Washington Monument on the Public Garden and the MIT Stata Center,” the complaint read.
Video below: Previous coverage of State House vandalism
When he was taken into custody last week, officials searched a vehicle belonging to the suspect’s mother that Sawaqed used and found traces of white paint and a device consistent with those discovered on the Boston Common. Several DAMPL fliers and two empty gasoline cans were also found.
“Sawaqed’s actions have been deliberate, calculated and in furtherance of an ideology that advocates disruption through violence and criminal activity,” the complaint states. “He has shown a clear disregard for public safety and government property and has demonstrated the capability and willingness to escalate these acts through his association with DAMPL.”
Sawaqed was charged with vandalism and destruction of property, vandalizing a war or veterans memorial and possession, transportation or use of a hoax device or substance.
His bail was set at $30,000 and he is due back in court next week.
5 Investigates learned Sawaqed went to high school in Colorado before moving to Massachusetts to attend UMass Dartmouth. He graduated in 2022. On his LinkedIn profile, he described himself as a “dedicated bioengineer.”
Video below: Closer look at vandalism
Sawaqed’s mother, Naila Dahabrah, said her son is innocent and is being punished for his views on Gaza.
“He does not belong to any group. They have no evidence,” she said.
According to court documents, Dahabrah was arrested for assault and battery on a police officer after she spat in the face of a detective who was serving a search warrant last week.
The Anti-Defamation League’s New England chapter released the following statement regarding Sawaqed’s arrest:
“A Massachusetts man, known to be associated with DAMPL, has been arrested after vandalizing the Massachusetts State House. He has been charged with vandalism, destruction of property, vandalizing a war or veterans memorial and possession, and transportation or use of a hoax device or substance. We thank law enforcement for their vigilance and action.”
The ADL tells 5 Investigates they’ve been monitoring DAMPL since the group was formed back in the spring. Members call themselves “DAMPL Action Comrades” and coordinate activities through social media and social messaging apps.
“Once they started taking credit for real world vandalisms, we put a lot of effort into investigating them and providing information to law enforcement,” said ADL Executive Director Samantha Joseph.
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