[WDPA] Residents of Coraopolis and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mohamad Hamad and Talya A. Lubit have been charged in a federal criminal complaint alleging that they conspired between July 2024 and July 29, 2024, to damage religious property associated with Chabad of Squirrel Hill. Prosecutors allege the pair defaced the synagogue property because of the racial and ethnic characteristics of the Jewish individuals connected to the organization, which authorities say constitutes a federal civil rights violation involving religious real property. The complaint charges both defendants with damaging religious property and conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, though the allegations remain unproven unless established in court. In connection with the investigation, search warrants were executed in August and September 2024 at both defendants' residences. Hamad's and Lubit's cell phones were seized, and a review of the contents revealed, among other things, messages during the month of July 2024 between Hamad and Lubit during which they planned their vandalism activities and specifically discussed selecting Jewish targets. Review of Hamad's phone also revealed that in the weeks leading up to the vandalism on July 29, Hamad referred to himself as a "Hamas operative," sent a picture of himself wearing a headband with the Hamas logo to another associate, and exchanged messages with another individual regarding building an explosive device, including a video of a test detonation in early July 2024.