Four more people have been indicted over an alleged campaign of threats, vandalism and intimidation targeting Jewish organisations, University of Michigan officials and businesses seen as having links to Israel.
Henry David MacKeen-Shapiro, 23, Aaron Hunter Vonbargen, 25, Joseph Mark Fisher, 23, and Srishti Tarana Sharma, 23, were named in a superseding indictment announced by federal prosecutors in Detroit on Friday.
MacKeen-Shapiro and Vonbargen were arrested this week and were due to make their initial appearances in federal court. Fisher and Sharma remain at large, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
The latest charges bring the number of defendants indicted in the case to 12. Prosecutors said the alleged conspiracy was aimed at pressuring the University of Michigan and private companies to cut perceived ties with Israel.
Alleged campaign of intimidation
Investigators said the group used encrypted messaging services, social media and overseas collaboration tools to identify and target victims. The alleged actions included spray-painting threats, smashing windows and throwing glass jars containing noxious chemicals into family homes.
Prosecutors also allege that red handprints and inverted red triangles associated with Hamas were painted on homes and workplaces. Photographs of the damage were then shared online alongside further warnings, they said.
The alleged targets included the Jewish Federation of Detroit, two University of Michigan regents and other university leaders, a university police lieutenant, a student and two businesses believed by the conspirators to have ties to Israel.
“Those who believe they can threaten families, hide behind a group, and avoid accountability should think again. Justice will find you,” Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit field office, said.
Federal prosecutors said the alleged campaign began after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. The defendants and others are accused of demanding that the university and companies sever their connections with Israel, with threats of escalating retaliation if they did not comply.
Eight people were indicted in June after FBI raids in Ypsilanti. They were identified as Zainab Aliasgar Hakim, Amatullah Aliasgar Hakim, Paige Elizabeth Feyock, Ahmet Kerem Korkaya, Jonathan Hongru Zou, Alexander Matthew Sepulveda, Mariam Muhammed Odeh and Colin Hunter Weger.
The US Attorney’s Office said the new indictment contains allegations only. All 12 defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty in court.
