Spotsylvania Man Charged After Threat Against Loudoun Muslim Center

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — A Spotsylvania County man was arrested after authorities said he threatened to deliver an explosive device to an event at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society Center in Loudoun County.

Adam Sawyer, 50, of Spotsylvania, was arrested Saturday by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and charged with one count of threats to bomb, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

He was released on an unsecured bond, authorities said.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations on Monday welcomed the charges filed in connection with the alleged threat against the ADAMS Center.

CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad praised the response by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police and Fairfax County Police Department.

“We welcome the quick and coordinated action” by the agencies involved, Awad said. He added that threats against places of worship affect both religious freedom and public safety.

Awad also urged authorities to consider hate crime charges if investigators find evidence that the alleged threat was motivated by bias. He encouraged Islamic institutions to remain vigilant and maintain strong security measures.

Social Media Post Prompts Investigation

The investigation began after Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office detectives were alerted to a comment posted on the ADAMS Center’s Instagram page. Investigators said the comment indicated someone intended to deliver an explosive device to an event at the center.

On Friday, Loudoun detectives worked with Virginia State Police and the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office to execute multiple search warrants in the 6800 block of Luce Lane in Spotsylvania County.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office also thanked the Fairfax County Police Department, Virginia State Police and Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office for assisting with the investigation.

Also See ...

• Woodbridge Man Federally Charged In Gun Case Tied To Stafford Shooting
• Woman Accused Of Assaulting Victim, Kicking Stafford Deputy At Motel 6
• Stafford Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing $107K In Government Travel Funds

Authorities did not provide additional details about the Instagram comment, the event they say was targeted or what investigators recovered while executing the search warrants.

Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021.