Michael Shapiro, a 73-year-old resident of West Palm Beach, Florida, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for making death threats against the Michigan Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). The sentencing was announced by Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck.
The threats were made through three separate phone calls to CAIR's office in Canton, Michigan. On December 8, 2023, Shapiro left a voicemail stating: “I’m going to kill you bastards.” He followed up with another message on December 14, saying: “I’m going to kill you mother f*****g bastards. Muslims! I’m going to kill you mother f*****s.” The final threat was made on December 15: “You’re a violent people... I’m going to kill you mother f*****s!”
Shapiro pleaded guilty on December 3, 2024, admitting that he chose CAIR as his target due to the religion and national origin of its members and those it assists.
Acting U.S. Attorney Beck emphasized the seriousness of such actions: “No one should be able to instill fear on an entire community by threatening violence." She added that this sentence is meant to deter others from similar acts motivated by bias.
Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, stated that "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." He reiterated the FBI's commitment to addressing federal hate crimes and fostering positive relationships within communities.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Canton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Lee Carlson prosecuted the case.
