U.S. Attorney Damian Williams | U.S. Department of Justice
Edward Y. Kim, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Nelson I. Delgado, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Newark Field Office, have announced a three-count indictment against Donovan Hall. Hall faces charges related to making interstate threats and stalking. He was apprehended on November 22, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona and appeared in federal court in Arizona. The case is under U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. Rearden.
"Donovan Hall allegedly unleashed a campaign of terror against several Jewish New Yorkers," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim. "No individual deserves to be at the receiving end of these types of threats or to be targeted because of their religion."
Acting Special Agent Nelson I. Delgado commented on the case: "We allege Hall used graphic and hate-filled rhetoric to terrorize several victims in New York City and around the U.S." He added that the FBI has zero tolerance for such actions.
The indictment outlines that over three months, Hall contacted individuals in New York approximately 1,000 times with anti-Semitic threats. Starting August 2024, he made threatening calls to a Manhattan hotel owner and his family. In October 2024, Hall sent texts with photos of firearms and a machete along with threats.
A search of Hall's residence led to the recovery of firearms depicted in his messages alongside other weapons and ammunition.
Hall is charged with two counts of making interstate threats and one count of interstate stalking; each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years.
Mr. Kim commended the FBI’s Newark Field Office for its work and thanked various law enforcement agencies involved.
The prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Adelsberg from the Civil Rights Unit in the Criminal Division.
It is important to note that charges are accusations, and Hall remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
