GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jude Alexander Sleeper, 15, is being prosecuted as an adult after authorities accused him of building a destructive device to influence government policy following training from a designated foreign terrorist organization. He is also accused of joining the organization and acting under its direction.
The investigation became public October 27, when the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office announced a joint inquiry with the FBI. Authorities said they had received credible intelligence that Sleeper, a student at Buchholz High School, had communicated on social media with ISIS members and supporters. According to investigators, he asked those individuals for instructions on building drones and explosives to attack people inside an unidentified facility.
After speaking with Sleeper and his parents about their concerns, investigators received the family’s permission to seize and search his phone. An initial review allegedly uncovered files describing how to make explosive devices and chemical compounds, along with ISIS propaganda.
Investigators also reportedly found two jars in Sleeper’s bedroom. Authorities said Sleeper told them the jars contained separate chemical agents intended for producing TATP, or triacetone triperoxide, an extremely unstable explosive capable of detonating without warning.
NEXT UP: U.S. Marine Dies Following Fast-Roping Training Accident
Court documents allege that the device consisted of an energetic compound and a fuse. Prosecutors say Sleeper intended to use it in an act involving “mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping” to pressure the government into changing its policies. The charging document further alleges that he received “military-type training” from a terrorist organization and tried to apply that training to “harm another person or damage a critical infrastructure facility.”
The case filing also accuses Sleeper of willfully joining a terrorist organization and serving under its “direction and control.”
Sleeper faces charges of making a destructive device, engaging in terrorist activity to influence government conduct, using military-type training supplied by a terrorist organization, and joining a terrorist organization.
Judge Robert Groeb ordered the case transferred to adult court. Sleeper was held without bail on the terrorist-activity charge, while bail was set at $100,000 on each of the other three counts.