Texas Man Charged with Terroristic Threats Against NYC Mayoral Candidate

Jeremy Fistel, 44, from Texas, was charged with 22 counts of making terroristic threats against New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. The charges stem from a series of menacing voicemail and written messages left in June and July.

According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Fistel's messages suggested Mamdani should fear for his life, including statements urging him to "go back to Uganda" and hateful remarks about his family. One message, allegedly submitted through Mamdani's website, stated a desire to see an Israeli military bullet go through Mamdani's skull and for his family to be murdered in front of him.

<figure> <img src="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-jeremy-fistel-zohran-mamdani-threats-616299926572" alt="Jeremy Fistel in court"> <figcaption>Jeremy Fistel, right, sits at the defense table during his arraignment. [Dean Moses/Pool via AP]</figcaption> </figure>

Fistel pleaded not guilty and was released on $30,000 bail. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. His lawyer argued that while the statements were "unpleasant," they were not direct threats. A video of Fistel leaving the courthouse was posted on X (formerly Twitter).

This incident follows rising concerns about political violence in the US, particularly after the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and the killing of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband. Mamdani, who won the Democratic primaries in June, reported receiving increased threats following Kirk's death. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed the charges, emphasizing that hate has no place in society.

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