PLANTATION, Fla. (CBS12) — A Gainesville man is accused of plotting an attack on a pro-Israeli organization’s office in South Florida that would likely have occurred around the time Hannukah was beginning.

The U.S. Department of Justice charged Forrest Pemberton with stalking Monday, following an investigation that began when his father reported finding a letter in which Pemberton wrote about wanting to “close the loop,” “stoke the flames,” and say “goodbye” to his family.

When asked why he chose to target that particular group, Pemberton cited the organization’s political influence and his frustration with what he saw as the status quo. Pemberton was quoted as saying he wanted to “see if I could make a change.”

The Justice Department’s complaint did not identify the organization that Pemberton was allegedly targeting, only referring to it as victim 1. However, a quote of the organization’s mission aligns with the policy statement for AIPAC, a pro-Israeli lobbying group. Additionally, the street name given where Pemberton is reported to have scouted his potential attack matches AIPAC’s Plantation office, in Broward County.

In a statement to CBS News, an AIPAC spokesperson said, “We take these threats very seriously and we are working closely with law enforcement concerning this matter. We will not be deterred by extremists in pursuing our mission to strengthen the relationship with America’s valued ally, Israel. We are deeply appreciative of the FBI's work to stop this individual.”

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The FBI investigation was launched on December 23, two days before the first night of Hannukah, when Pemberton’s father reported his son missing, court documents show. In addition, to the letter, the father told federal investigators that his son may have an AR-15 rifle, a 9mm Luger pistol, and a Galil rifle with him. A search of Pemberton’s home computer led investigators to suspect that he was targeting the Plantation location.

After tracking Pemberton to a hotel in Tallahassee a day earlier, law enforcement officers stopped him on the day Hannukah began after he was spotted getting into a rideshare vehicle with what looked like a soft case for a rifle. During the traffic stop, Pemberton handed over three firearms matching the ones his family stated he might have had in his possession as well as ammunition for two of the weapons, the FBI noted.

The following day, Pemberton met with law enforcement officials for the aforementioned interview about the investigation. According to court documents, Pemberton admitted having reached the organization’s Plantation office previously, saying he was unarmed at the time and was there to “scout” the Pine Island Road location. He allegedly stated that he was there to ensure that he could get into the building with the intent of returning with firearms.

When asked directly if he had planned to commit a mass casualty attack before taking his own life, Pemberton addressed the second half, according to a quote in the complaint, saying he “hadn’t gotten that far yet,” and that his death would have been a way out if he were captured. As far as the firearms he previously handed over to authorities, Pemberton indicated that he kept them either to sell them or for criminal activity, like harming another person.

The complaint’s account of Pemberton’s interview concluded with the suspect claiming he had decided not to go through with the attack, saying, “it would have been a one-way ticket, in Plantation, I decided wasn’t ready. I gave up.”

Pemberton has been ordered to remain in police custody until a January 6 detention hearing.

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