Man to stand trial for threatening Shiawassee Co. officials

A Macomb County man was ordered this week to stand trial for allegedly threatening to kill Shiawassee County officials in 2022, Michigan's Attorney General said.

George Hamas, 57, of Washington Township, waived his preliminary examination in 66th District Court in Corunna, the attorney general's office said Wednesday.

A district court judge bound over Hamas for trial in Shiawassee County Circuit Court. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 22.

Hamas has been charged with four counts of making a false report or threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony, and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime, which is also punishable by 20 years in prison.

His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.

Authorities allege Hamas in June 2022 sent Shiawassee County public officials multiple messages via social media and left phone voicemails in which he threatened them with death and specific violent acts.

"Instances of violent threats and even death threats made to public officials are occurring at increasing and alarming rates," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. "We will not stand by and watch this behavior become a normal expectation for public servants and elected officials."

Hamas is one of the latest examples of people being accused of making threats against public officials.

Last month, an Indiana man pleaded guilty in federal court in Detroit to threatening to kill former Rochester Hills Clerk Tina Barton for defending the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. He faces up to five years in prison.

In January, a New Hampshire woman who threatened and sent photos of a bloody, mutilated female body to the Wayne County Board of Canvassers' Republican chairwoman in the wake of the 2020 presidential election was sentenced to 30 days in federal prison.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez