North Merrick man charged with terrorism charges over alleged bomb plot at social services building

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MINEOLA, N.Y. – A North Merrick man has been charged with terrorism and other charges for allegedly attempting to bomb the Nassau County Department of Social Services building in Uniondale in September, prosecutors said Thursday.

James Luca, 46, appeared before Judge Terence Murphy on multiple charges including terrorism offence, criminal possession of a weapon and conspiracy. Luca pleaded not guilty and was arrested. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Luca sought revenge against the county’s Child Protective Services, accusing the agency of revoking his visitation rights with his children, District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said. “James Luca’s alleged actions, conspiracies, and attempts to ignite an explosion at the government building…justify this significant escalation in charges,” Donnelly said.

Surveillance footage shows Luca attempting to ignite a homemade bomb consisting of propane tanks and flares at the door of the building in the early morning hours of September 17. The device did not explode and was discovered and attended to by a building inspector later that morning. authorities.

Police and fire officials evacuated the building, secured the device and found additional supplies nearby, including another propane tank and flares. Luca and another defendant who was acting as a lookout were arrested on October 3 after a detailed investigation.

Officials praised the cooperation between law enforcement agencies in neutralizing the threat. “This dangerous individual endangered hundreds of lives,” said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.

Luca is scheduled to appear in court on December 19. His attorney, Stacy Albin Leone, has not commented publicly on the case.

Prosecutors called the case an unprecedented move to charge a defendant with domestic terrorism charges.