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Press Release

Michigan Resident Indicted For Hate Crime of Threatening to Kill Jewish Government Officials

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan

DETROIT – A Tipton, Michigan resident was indicted by a grand jury today for using Twitter to threaten to kill Jewish government officials in Michigan, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. 

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to the indictment, on February 17, 2023, Jack Eugene Carpenter, III, 41, of Tipton, Michigan, using Twitter while located in Texas, made threats against Jewish government officials in Michigan. Carpenter’s post read, in part: “I’m heading back to Michigan now threatening to carry out the punishment of death to anyone that is jewish in the Michigan govt if they don’t leave, or confess.”

The indictment also alleges that the Grand Jury found that Carpenter intentionally selected Jewish members of the Michigan government as the objects of his threat because of the actual and perceived religion of those individuals.

Carpenter is currently being held in detention pending trial in this case.       

“Hate and bias-related crimes poison our communities and make people afraid simply because of who they are or what they believe,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “We will not tolerate such actions, and we will prosecute those who engage in them to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Investigating crimes based on religious bias is one of the FBI’s highest priorities because of the devastating impact they have on individuals and communities,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The victims in this case were specifically targeted because of their religion. The FBI is committed to working with our partners to detect and prevent violent incidents motivated by bias or hate. We also urge the public to report any suspected hate crimes to the FBI and local law enforcement.”

Based on the charges in the indictment, Carpenter faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted.  Carpenter is subject to aa Hate Crime Motivation penalty enhancement under the United States Sentencing Guidelines.    

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hank Moon and Frances Carlson.

Updated March 9, 2023

Topic
Civil Rights