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Man arrested in Kannapolis accused of collecting guns, explosives, posting threats about Joe Biden

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — A 19-year-old man taken into custody in Kannapolis is accused of making threatening posts and conducting internet searches related to killing Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

Alexander Hillel Treisman was arrested at the end of May after investigators found an abandoned van at a Kannapolis bank with an AR-15 style rifle, a handgun, ammunition and explosive materials, according to court documents.

Employees at the Fifth Third Bank on South Main Street had asked the Kannapolis Police Department to tow the van, and investigators later searched the vehicle.

Authorities found more items such as $509,000 in cash, books about making bombs and improvised weapons, drawings of swastikas and planes crashing into buildings, and six additional guns, according to the documents.

Officials said Treisman showed up in a car at the bank looking for the van and was taken into custody.

At this point, it is unclear exactly how Treisman and his van ended up at the bank in Kannapolis. Police said his address is in Seattle.

A search of that car revealed two additional guns and three driver’s licenses in Treisman’s wallet, including from the state of California, Florida and Washington, according to the documents.

Treisman was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon, and police contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Investigators said they searched his electronic devices and accounts, including social media sites and gaming platforms.

On several devices, officials said they found videos and images of child pornography content.

Authorities said he wrote a note in 2019 describing a plan to perform a mass shooting at a mall food court on Christmas or Black Friday.

Internet searches he conducted between March and May show he looked up, “information about Joe Biden’s home address, state gun laws, rifle parts, and night vision goggles,” according to the court documents.

The documents say Treisman posted a meme about killing Joe Biden, bought an AR-15 in New Hampshire and traveled “to a Wendy’s within 4 miles of Joe Biden’s home.” He also wrote “a checklist note ending with ‘execute,’” according to the documents.

Former head of the Charlotte FBI office Chris Swecker said Treisman fits the profile of a domestic terrorist.

“It could very well be terrorism if it’s ideologically driven,” he said.

Treisman is only facing child pornography-related charges, but in the order earlier this month, a judge cited the above evidence for why he should remain in custody.

He is currently being held without bail at the Cabarrus County Jail.

Investigators said his mother said in a jail phone call that he might have to jump bail. Officials also said they found a Polish passport with his image edited into it and a rental agreement and power bill for an apartment in Quebec, Canada.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.