A Jewish teacher at a Pennsylvania high school who reported finding two antisemitic signs — one reading “Anne Frank’s diary was a fake” and another displaying a swastika — set off an investigation that has now led to charges against a former student who allegedly targeted her after making antisemitic comments to her in class.

Kaleb McCoy Ott, 19, of Mount Holly Springs, was charged this week with one count of ethnic intimidation, six counts of harassment, one count of stalking, six counts of criminal trespass and one count of corruption of minors, according to a magisterial district court docket.

The teacher, who works at Boiling Springs High School, reported the signs to state police on Jan. 31. Ott graduated from the school in 2025 and, as a student, had allegedly made antisemitic comments to the same teacher.

Additional reports from residents of the borough, located about 30 miles north of Gettysburg, led troopers to identify other locations where signs had been placed. None of those residents were Jewish, authorities said.

Investigators used fingerprint analysis to identify Ott, whose prints were on file because he is a recruit at the Parris Island U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot.

Ott admitted to creating and distributing the signs along with a 17-year-old, troopers said. According to the report, he told investigators he was upset about the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which ended with a ceasefire in October. He said he and the other individual were “acting dumb,” “never should have made the signs” and would apologize to the teacher if given the opportunity.

Ott was a member of the volunteer brigade associated with Union Fire Company No. 1 in Carlisle and was promptly removed after the department learned of the incident.

“The behavior in question is not representative of our department or the dedicated individuals who serve this community every day,” the brigade said in a statement. “Our commitment to protecting the public extends beyond emergency response and includes upholding the trust placed in us.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)