Skip to main content
Press Release

Michigan Resident Uses Twitter to Threaten to Kill Jewish Government Officials

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

DETROIT – A Tipton, Michigan resident was charged in a criminal complaint with 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 criminal complaint filed in the case, 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. One 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.” Carpenter continued his threats of violence in a second post, which read, in part: “I’ll be coming back to Michigan, still driving with expired plates. You may want to let everyone know, and Wayne County sheriff as well, any attempt to subdue me will be met with deadly force in self-defense.” 

The complaint indicated that Carpenter had three 9 mm semi-automatic pistols registered to him, and that he was under investigation by the Michigan State Police for stealing a fourth pistol.  According to the complaint, it is also believed that Carpenter also owned a shotgun and two hunting rifles in addition to the pistols. 

Carpenter was originally arrested by federal agents in Texas where he appeared in federal court on February 21, 2023. After his hearing in Texas, Carpenter was transported in custody to Detroit, where he made his initial appearance yesterday in federal court. The United States has requested that Carpenter be detained pending trial. He is scheduled for a pretrial detention hearing on Friday, March 3, 2023.            

“No one should be threatened or targeted with violence because of their religious beliefs,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “Anyone who communicates a threat to kill or injure others can expect serious criminal consequences.”  “This investigation was greatly aided by concerned citizens who timely came forward to law enforcement and thereby helped us keep our communities safe,” continued U.S. Attorney Ison. “Our community members are the first line of defense in cases like this: so please, if you hear or see something that has you concerned that someone may commit a violent act, please reach out to your local, state, or federal law enforcement agency and help us keep Michigan safe.”

“Threats such as this are intended to create fear, and this case clearly shows targeting someone based on religious beliefs will not be tolerated,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Crimes motivated by bias will be investigated by the FBI in coordination with the Michigan State Police, and perpetrators held responsible for their actions.”

Based on the charges in the criminal complaint, Carpenter faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted. 

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

Updated March 2, 2023