An 18-year-old woman was being held on $10 million bond Thursday after authorities accused her of conspiring with two men to attack a Texas synagogue and “kill as many Jews as possible,” according to court records.
The suspect, Angelina Hahn Hicks of Lexington, North Carolina, was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and aggravated conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon, according to court documents.
He allegedly planned with two men to attack Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Houston, Texas, according to court records.
Davidson County Sheriff’s Department – Photo: Angelina Hahn Hicks, 18, of Lexington, North Carolina, was arrested April 22, 2026, on charges of conspiracy to attack Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Houston, Texas.
North Carolina prosecutors allege in court documents, “conspiracy to drive into synagogue congregations and kill as many Jews as possible.”
Hicks was arrested in North Carolina on Wednesday and made his first court appearance later that day in Davidson County District Court in Lexington.
The two men, identified only as “Angel” and “Teagan”, allegedly planned an attack with Hicks in 2028.
The two co-conspirators have not been arrested and are unknown, according to court records.
A Davidson County judge set Hick’s bond at $10 million, noting that two co-conspirators remain at large.
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“Giving a co-conspirator the opportunity to communicate with those individuals or individuals who may relay messages would endanger lives,” the judge wrote in his court order, according to court documents.
In a social media post Thursday, FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI received information Tuesday that “a man from Lexington, North Carolina was planning a mass casualty event at a Jewish day school near Houston, Texas.”
The Schlenker School, a preschool and elementary school, is affiliated with and housed on the campus of Congregation Beth Israel.
Patel said FBI field offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Houston worked with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office to take Hicks into custody. He said the quick action to arrest Hicks “probably saved lives.”
Patel said that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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Hicks’ attorney in North Carolina, Chad Freeman, told ABC News on Thursday that it was too early to comment on the allegations.
“I talked to him briefly about preliminary matters,” Freeman said of Hicks.
Freeman directed ABC News in an audio statement he said Hicks’ father gave to Fox affiliate station WGHP in High Point, N.C.
In an audio statement, Hick’s father, who did not give his name, claimed the allegations against his daughter were “made up” and “way up”.
“This is a good kid. He’s in school. He’s going to graduate in two weeks, which he can’t do anymore,” the father said.
He said he believed his daughter’s arrest stemmed from her “playing some fantasy game on the Internet.”
“It was dark and he shouldn’t have done it, and we’re sick of it,” the father said.
“He’s a threat to no one but the imaginary video player,” the father added.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston said in a statement that it has been in communication with the leadership of Congregation Beth Israel and The Schlenker School, as well as law enforcement, about threats on campus.
Congregation Beth Israel decided to close its campus Wednesday “out of an abundance of caution,” the organization said.
“After significant discussions with both the FBI and HPD [Houston Police Department]We have been advised that other local Jewish institutions are safe to remain open,” the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston said. “Local law enforcement agencies are increasing patrols around Houston-area Jewish institutions.”
Hicks is scheduled to make his next court appearance on May 13 in North Carolina.
