Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
Hassan Chokr, a 38-year-old resident of Dearborn, Michigan, was sentenced to 34 months in prison for illegally possessing multiple firearms after an incident involving antisemitic threats at a local synagogue. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., with Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), also participating.
According to court documents, in December 2022, Chokr drove through the parking lot of a synagogue in Bloomfield Hills as Jewish parents were bringing their preschool children into the building. He shouted antisemitic insults, criticized their support for Israel, and threatened that they would "pay." After being told to leave the premises, Chokr went to a gun store in Dearborn where he handled three firearms: a Landor Arms 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun, a Del-ton 5.56mm rifle, and a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol. He pointed and aimed each firearm at times with his finger on the trigger.
Chokr attempted to purchase all three weapons and falsely claimed on required forms that he had never been convicted of a felony offense, despite having such a conviction several years earlier. While waiting for his background check results, he reportedly stated that he would "even the score" and use the guns for "God’s wrath." The purchase was ultimately denied after his background check failed.
United States Attorney Gorgon said: “Chokr’s sickening antisemitic threats and his apparent attempt to make good on them with guns are part of an alarming pattern of violence against believers. And we will do everything in our power to fight against this hatred and to protect the American family and their right to worship God without fear.”
Reuben Coleman added: “The sentencing of Hassan Chokr reaffirms that reckless actions endangering children and their parents outside of a daycare, have no place in our society. The FBI in Michigan has zero tolerance for threats to our citizens and remains firmly committed to protecting the communities we call home. I would like to thank the dedicated members from the FBI Oakland County Resident Agency, Dearborn Police Department, Bloomfield Township Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan for their tireless work and partnership in bringing this case to justice.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Carlson.
