Dearborn man accused of antisemitic threats now faces federal charge

The Detroit News

Detroit — A Dearborn man accused of making antisemitic, racist threats earlier this month to young children, parents and security at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills was charged Thursday with a federal gun crime.

Hassan Yehia Chokr, 35, was charged with lying on a federal firearms form when he tried to buy a shotgun, rifle, and a semi-automatic pistol at Dearborn Outdoors on Dec. 2, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Detroit. The charge is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison.

The move means Chokr is facing federal and state charges in relation to an incident that drew national attention to ethnic intimidation earlier this month.

Ethnic intimidation is a felony punishable by a maximum of two years in prison and a fine of $5,000. In a video arraignment, Chokr was seen shouting and raising his finger against the court in a profane manner as the Bloomfield Township court magistrate read a list of bond conditions.

In a separate Wayne County Circuit Court emergency bond hearing earlier this month, Chokr appeared through a video feed before Judge Regina Thomas on several assault changes, as well as resisting a Dearborn police officer. Chokr was on mute when he pulled down his pants and showed his back side to the video camera. Thomas cut out the feed and revoked his bail in the Wayne County case.

Members worship in a large tent outside the Temple Beth El synagogue, Friday night, September 3, 2021, due to COVID-19.
The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, starts at sundown Sept. 6. Like 2020, the High Holy Days are affected by the pandemic. That means synagogues across Metro Detroit are figuring out how to gather. Some plan a mix of virtual and in-person activities while keeping mask requirements. At Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills, synagogue members participate in their Shabbat service in a large tent near the synagogue. Rabbi Mark Miller, of Birmingham, leads the service as he welcomes Shabbat and talks about the importance of the shofar, or ram's horn, which is a traditional symbol of the Jewish New Year. This year is Jewish New Year 5782.

“Antisemitic and racist threats or ethnic intimidation of any kind, will not be tolerated in our community, and every such incident will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement after the state charges were filed.

Antisemitic incidents have been on the rise across the country. The Anti-Defamation League noted 220 incidents of white supremacy propaganda through November in Michigan compared with 150 in 2021, ADL Michigan Regional Director Carolyn Normandin told The Detroit News in November. Anti-Semitic incidents in Michigan last year totaled a record 112; 2022 figures could surpass them, Normandin said.

rsnell@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @robertsnellnews

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