Phoenix Man Convicted of Hate Crimes for Hoax Bomb Threats at Christian Churches

Zimnako Salah targeted churches across three states, motivated by religious hatred, and now faces up to six years in prison after a federal jury's verdict.

• Zimnako Salah, 45, was found guilty of hate crimes and hoax bomb threats targeting Christian churches in Arizona, California, and Colorado.
• Salah planted backpacks designed to mimic bombs at two churches and was stopped by security at two others between September and November 2023.
• Evidence showed Salah was building an improvised explosive device (IED) and consumed extremist online propaganda, including ISIS videos.
• The FBI and local law enforcement collaborated on the investigation, which highlighted the threat of domestic terrorism and religiously motivated hate crimes.
• Salah's sentencing is scheduled for July 18, 2025, with a potential maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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