Executive Summary
- John Kevin Lapinski, Jr. was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for firearm offenses and for amassing an arsenal and detailed attack plans targeting Jewish and Black Americans.
- The investigation uncovered five firearms, over 3,000 rounds of ammunition, tactical gear, and maps of local sites marked with racial slurs and a “target list” identifying groups and locations to attack based on race and religion.
- Lapinski was linked to an earlier shooting incident in August 2024 where the home and vehicle of a Jewish resident were struck by bullets, with authorities crediting law enforcement for preventing his plans from becoming reality.
Laws and Precedent
- John Kevin Lapinski, Jr.’s 25-year federal prison sentence stems from his guilty plea to charges including possession of firearms by a convicted felon and an individual subject to a court order, possession of an unregistered silencer, and possession of body armor by a violent felon. These convictions highlight specific federal laws, such as those prohibiting certain individuals from possessing firearms (e.g., 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)), regulating specialized weapons like silencers under the National Firearms Act, and prohibiting violent felons from possessing body armor (18 U.S.C. § 931), which collectively carry substantial penalties under federal sentencing guidelines.
A Margate man, John Kevin Lapinski, Jr., 41, was sentenced on Thursday to 25 years in federal prison for a series of firearm offenses and for amassing an arsenal of weapons, tactical gear, and detailed attack plans specifically targeting Jewish and Black Americans. U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith handed down the 300-month sentence following Lapinski’s guilty plea to multiple charges, including possession of firearms by a convicted felon and an individual subject to a court order, possession of an unregistered silencer, and possession of body armor by a violent felon.
Investigation and Discovery
The investigation began on October 31, 2024, when Margate Police responded to reports of shots fired in a residential neighborhood. Officers determined Lapinski, who was legally prohibited from possessing firearms, was the shooter.
Upon entering Lapinski’s residence, officers observed a shooting target depicting a Black male riddled with bullet holes. A subsequent search uncovered a significant arsenal, including five firearms, over 3,000 rounds of ammunition, various firearm parts and accessories, two silencers, body armor, smoke grenades, a Ghillie suit, and other tactical gear.
Investigators also discovered maps of local schools, parks, and community sites marked with racial slurs targeting Black and Jewish individuals. A “target list” was found, identifying “groups to attack” based on race and religion, including a Jewish member of Congress, local synagogues, Jewish-owned businesses, and other religious and ethnically identified locations.
Prior Incident and Official Statement
Further investigation linked Lapinski to an earlier shooting incident in August 2024, where the home and vehicle of a Jewish resident were struck by bullets.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones underscored the gravity of the case, stating, “This defendant stockpiled weapons, tactical gear, and detailed attack plans to terrorize Jewish and Black Americans in our communities. His intent was not abstract—it was written on his maps, his targets, and his so-called hit list.” Quiñones credited law enforcement for preventing the plans from becoming reality, emphasizing that Lapinski will now spend a quarter-century behind bars instead of carrying out acts of racist violence.
The sentencing of John Kevin Lapinski, Jr. sends a clear message that hate-fueled violence will be met with decisive federal prosecution. Authorities affirmed their commitment to disrupting such plans, seizing illegal weapons, and ensuring the safety of all communities in the district.
