Latest news with #CAIR-MI
CBS News
20-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Florida man sentenced after threatening to kill Muslims in Michigan, feds say
A 73-year-old Florida man accused of repeatedly threatening to kill members of an American Muslim organization in Michigan has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. According to court records, Michael Shapiro, of West Palm Beach, placed three phone calls to the Council on American-Islamic Relations Michigan Chapter (CAIR-MI) in Canton Township in December 2023. In all three calls, Shapiro reportedly left threatening voicemails. The U.S. Attorney's Office says Shapiro placed his first call to CAIR-MI on Dec. 8, 2023, twice saying, "I'm going to kill you bastards." Shapiro called again on Dec. 14, 2023, and left another voicemail. "I'm going to kill you mother f*****g bastards. Muslims! I'm going to kill you mother f*****s. I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you!" The next day, prosecutors said Shapiro called back and left a similar message. Shapiro was charged in March 2024 with three counts of transmitting threats to interstate commerce. He pleaded guilty in December 2024 to one count of transmitting threats in interstate commerce. "No one should be able to instill fear on an entire community by threatening violence. Today's sentence sends a strong message that people who do so, especially when motivated by bias, will be aggressively prosecuted and severely punished, " said Acting U.S. Attorney Beck in a news release. Shapiro admitted to targeting CAIR "because of the actual and perceived religion and national origin of the people who work at and are assisted by CAIR." "Today's sentencing of Michael Shapiro highlights the severe consequences of hate-driven threats and sends a strong message to others with similar malicious intentions," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "The FBI in Michigan remains committed to investigating and dismantling individuals or groups that sow fear and hatred within our communities."
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michigan man charged after calling for ‘extermination' of all Muslims
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Michigan man faces criminal charges for allegedly threatening a religious group, calling for the 'extermination' of all Muslims. Hundreds protest Trump administration at Michigan Capitol Court records from the in Plymouth show 78-year-old Paul Naiman, of St. Clair Shores, was arraigned on Wednesday. He faces three counts of ethnic intimidation. Each count carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. The says it was targeted by Naiman, who sent multiple 'harassing and threatening' emails to CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. 'In his various emails to CAIR-MI, Naiman repeatedly called for the 'extermination' of all Muslims and in at least one email addressed his hateful and threatening rhetoric directly to Walid,' the organization . Alleged Venezuelan gangster caught trying to sneak across Michigan border Walud condemned the threats and thanked law enforcement for taking action. 'Ethnic intimidation is a threat not just to individuals but to the very fabric of our diverse and inclusive community,' Walid stated. 'We appreciate the swift action by law enforcement to hold accountable those who allegedly seek to spread hate and fear.' CAIR's annual civil rights report showed it received more than 8,000 complaints in 2024, the highest number in its 30-year history. Michigan teacher falls 20 feet from ski lift during field trip It's not the first time the Michigan chapter of CAIR has been targeted. A man from Florida was last March for making death threats over the phone. He eventually pleaded guilty. Not guilty pleas were entered for Naiman, which is standard at arraignment. He is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 14 for a probable cause conference. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
