A Plano man was indicted on 22 counts of terrorist-related hate crime charges against New York Assemblyman and Democratic candidate for mayor Zohran Mamdani, according to the district attorney in Queens, New York.
Jeremy Fistel, 44, faces four counts of making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, four counts of making a terroristic threat, seven counts of aggravated harassment in the second degree as a hate crime and seven counts of aggravated harassment in the second degree.
He was indicted on those charges Sept. 4, arrested Sept. 11 in Texas and extradited to Queens on Wednesday, according to a press release from Queens DA Melinda Katz.
"Let me be very clear," Katz said, "we take threats of violence against any office holder extremely seriously – and there is no room for hate or bigotry in our political discourse."
According to Katz, Fistel left anti-Muslim messages and threats on Mamdani's voicemail as well as written messages spanning from June through July.
Fistel could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
According to Katz, Fistel’s messages and voicemails all included explicit language and anti-Muslim remarks against Mamdani.
He allegedly left Mamdani a voicemail message June 11, telling him to “go back to Uganda” and threatening his family. A few days later, Fistel allegedly left another voicemail telling Mamdani he was not welcome in New York or America and to “go on and start your car. See what happens…yeah, keep an eye on your house and your family.”
On July 8, Fistel allegedly submitted a message through the assemblyman's website.
“I hope you get terminal cancer and die a painful death very soon,” Fistel’s message reportedly read. “I’d love to see an IDF bullet go through your skull.” The message also allegedly included violent comments about Mamdani's wife.Katz said another voicemail left a few days later had more explicit threats to Mamdani and his family, saying they “deserved to die.”
Mamdani’s staff first reported the messages to the police on June 18, Katz said, and Fistel allegedly blocked his caller ID during the calls before investigators later determined that the messages came from his mobile phone. The message submitted through the website is connected to Fistel’s email account, Katz said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
