Activity included broken windows, threatening graffiti and glass jars containing noxious chemicals thrown into family homes.
By Shula Rosen
Federal prosecutors in Michigan charged four additional defendants in an alleged conspiracy involving threats, vandalism and intimidation targeting Jewish community members, University of Michigan officials and businesses perceived as connected to Israel, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced Friday.
The new defendants are Henry David MacKeen-Shapiro, 23; Aaron Hunter Vonbargen, 25; Joseph Mark Fisher, 23; and Srishti Tarana Sharma, 23. Their indictments bring the number of defendants charged by a federal grand jury to twelve.
MacKeen-Shapiro and Vonbargen were arrested this week and were scheduled for initial court appearances Friday. The other two defendants remain at large.
According to the superseding indictment, defendants and unindicted conspirators allegedly devised plans aimed at pressuring the University of Michigan and several private-sector organizations to cut perceived ties with the State of Israel following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks.
Targets were allegedly warned that rejecting the group’s demands would bring further retaliation and escalating criminal acts.
Prosecutors said the alleged activity included broken windows, threatening graffiti and glass jars containing noxious chemicals thrown into family homes.
Homes and workplaces were also allegedly marked with symbols associated with Hamas, including red handprints and red inverted triangles, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office described as a symbol Hamas uses to mark targets for death.
“These alleged attempts to terrorize our Jewish community and government officials are nothing new,” United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. said. “From Pharaoh to Hitler to Hamas, those who terrorize Jews have been the bad guys. As Americans, our job is to fight the bad guys.”
Investigators allege that the conspirators subsequently posted images of attacks and additional threats online to intimidate victims and others who support Israel.
Those targeted included the Jewish Federation of Detroit, two University of Michigan Regents and other university leadership, a university police lieutenant, a student and two businesses with perceived ties to Israel.
The charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court
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