US grand jury indicts eight over alleged threats against University of Michigan officials, Jewish Federation

Crime Diary, International

DETROIT, US (NPA) — A federal grand jury in the United States has indicted eight individuals over their alleged involvement in coordinated threats targeting University of Michigan officials, law enforcement personnel, businesses, and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.

The indictment was announced on Tuesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Those charged are Zainab Aliasgar Hakim, 23, of Canton, Michigan; Amatullah Aliasgar Hakim, 21, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Paige Elizabeth Feyock, 26, of Ann Arbor; Ahmet Kerem Korkaya, 28, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Jonathan Hongru Zou, 22, of Ann Arbor; Alexander Matthew Sepulveda, 23, of Chicago, Illinois; Mariam Muhammed Odeh, 24, of Dearborn, Michigan; and Colin Hunter Weger, 24, of Ann Arbor.

According to federal prosecutors, the defendants allegedly participated in a campaign of threats, intimidation, vandalism, and harassment following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.

Authorities alleged that the group organised what they described as “autonomous actions” aimed at pressuring the University of Michigan and other institutions to divest from Israel.

Prosecutors said the campaign escalated when the defendants became dissatisfied with responses to their demands.

The indictment alleges that members of the group spray-painted threatening messages and Hamas-related symbols, hurled chemical-filled containers at private residences, and posted threatening messages online.

Among the messages cited by prosecutors were statements such as “you cannot hide” and “we only come back stronger.”

U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. described the alleged actions as an attack on the rule of law and public safety.

“In America, we rule by law, not by fear. These alleged threats and attempts to terrorise government officials, businesses, and the Jewish Federation are anti-American. We will counter intimidation with justice,” he said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also warned against acts of intimidation and coercion directed at public officials and institutions.

“No one has the right to threaten, intimidate, or coerce public officials, law enforcement officers, or community institutions. Those who engage in coordinated campaigns of threats and intimidation should expect to be held fully accountable under federal law,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office.

According to court documents, some meetings allegedly involved discussions about harming victims and members of their families, including references to poison, bombs, and psychological torture.

Federal prosecutors specifically alleged that on May 21, 2024, Feyock and Korkaya discussed plans to “kill,” “torment,” and “terrorise” targeted individuals and their relatives.

The indictment further alleges that Korkaya stated that his “entire family” was on his “hit list,” while Feyock suggested that the children of two victims should also be targeted.

In addition to the conspiracy charges, Zainab Hakim and Feyock are accused of witness intimidation.

Prosecutors allege that in July and August 2024, both women confronted a University of Michigan student whom they believed was cooperating with federal investigators and warned him against sharing information with authorities.

Sepulveda faces an additional charge of destruction of property to prevent seizure.

He and Zou are accused of vandalising the home of the University’s Provost by spray-painting threats and symbols before allegedly attempting to destroy evidence ahead of the execution of a search warrant.

If convicted, the defendants face significant prison terms and financial penalties.

Conspiracy to transmit threats carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000, while conspiracy to tamper with a witness carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a similar fine.

The charge of destruction of property to prevent seizure is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by the FBI Detroit Field Office with support from multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Federal prosecutors Sarah Resnick Cohen, Maggie Smith, Matthew Roth, and Robert Kuhn are leading the prosecution.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasised that an indictment is merely a formal accusation and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.