Staten Island Man Sentenced in Iranian-Directed Murder-for-Hire Plot Targeting Journalist and Human Rights Activist Masih Alinejad

A Staten Island man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for participating in an Iranian-directed murder-for-hire and stalking operation targeting journalist, author, and human rights activist Masih Alinejad inside the United States.

Jonathan Loadholt, 37, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit stalking and conspiracy to commit money laundering before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, who imposed the sentence in federal court.

Federal authorities stated the operation was tied to efforts directed by individuals connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the powerful Iranian military and intelligence organization that reports directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader and has long been accused by U.S. officials of conducting foreign intelligence operations, transnational repression campaigns, proxy warfare activity, and overseas targeting operations.

Court filings and public proceedings showed the plot specifically targeted Masih Alinejad, a U.S.-based Iranian journalist and outspoken critic of the Iranian government known internationally for advocating women’s rights, civil liberties, and opposition to compulsory hijab laws and state repression inside Iran.

Federal investigators stated the Iranian government and affiliated intelligence services had repeatedly targeted Alinejad over several years through multiple operations involving alleged kidnapping attempts, surveillance efforts, intimidation campaigns, and assassination plotting.

According to court records, Loadholt worked alongside co-defendant Carlisle Rivera, also known as “Pop,” after Rivera was recruited by Farhad Shakeri, who federal authorities identified as operating on behalf of Iranian interests connected to the IRGC.

Federal prosecutors stated Shakeri offered Rivera $100,000 to locate and murder Alinejad. Court evidence showed Rivera then recruited Loadholt to assist in the operation.

Investigators stated the operation involved surveillance activity, travel coordination, acquisition of firearms, use of burner phones, fake license plates, and repeated monitoring of locations believed to be connected to Alinejad.

Court records showed Loadholt and Rivera followed Alinejad to a public speaking event at Fairfield University and repeatedly conducted surveillance operations near a Brooklyn residence believed to be associated with her.

Federal investigators also recovered communications exchanged between Loadholt and Rivera discussing payments, operational planning, movement activity, and the murder plot itself.

According to court evidence, the pair discussed frustrations involving delayed payment transfers tied to the assassination arrangement. In one communication introduced during the proceedings, Loadholt expressed anger over not receiving an expected advance payment connected to the operation.

Authorities stated Loadholt and Rivera used money transmitted through Shakeri to purchase a firearm and operational equipment connected to the plot.

The operation was disrupted before the planned killing could occur. On November 7, 2024, federal authorities arrested Loadholt before the assassination attempt was carried out. Law enforcement agents later recovered more than two dozen rounds of ammunition from his residence.

The case reflects continuing concerns surrounding foreign-directed targeting operations conducted inside the United States against dissidents, journalists, activists, defectors, political critics, and individuals publicly opposing authoritarian governments abroad.

Federal counterintelligence investigators continue warning that transnational repression operations involving surveillance, intimidation, coercion, kidnapping attempts, cyber harassment, proxy recruitment, and assassination plots remain an active national security concern involving hostile foreign actors operating both directly and indirectly inside the United States.

Authorities have repeatedly accused Iranian intelligence-linked networks and IRGC-affiliated operatives of attempting to target critics of the Iranian government living abroad through covert criminal operations, organized crime intermediaries, and international proxy networks.

Loadholt received a 10-year federal prison sentence along with three years of supervised release.

Rivera, who previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, was sentenced earlier this year to 15 years in federal prison.

Farhad Shakeri remains at large.

The FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case with assistance from multiple federal and state agencies including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New York State Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob H. Gutwillig and Michael D. Lockard prosecuted the case with assistance from the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

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