Great Lakes Wire

Hassan Chokr, a 38-year-old resident of Dearborn, Michigan, was sentenced to 34 months in prison for illegally possessing firearms after making antisemitic threats at a synagogue. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., with Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Division of the FBI, also participating.

Court documents state that in December 2022, Chokr drove through the parking lot of a synagogue in Bloomfield Hills while Jewish parents were bringing their preschool children inside. He shouted antisemitic profanities and threatened those present over their support for Israel. After being asked to leave the premises, Chokr went to a gun store in Dearborn where he handled multiple firearms: a Landor Arms 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun, a Del-ton 5.56mm rifle, and a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol. He pointed and aimed these weapons while his finger was on the trigger.

Chokr attempted to purchase all three firearms but falsely stated on paperwork that he had never been convicted of a felony offense, despite having such a conviction from several years prior. While waiting for his background check results at the store, Chokr said he would “even the score” and use the guns for “God’s wrath.” The background check ultimately denied him from completing the purchase.

United States Attorney Gorgon commented: “Chokr’s sickening antisemitic threats and his apparent attempt to make good on them with guns are part of an alarming pattern of violence against believers. And we will do everything in our power to fight against this hatred and to protect the American family and their right to worship God without fear.”

Reuben Coleman added: “The sentencing of Hassan Chokr reaffirms that reckless actions endangering children and their parents outside of a daycare, have no place in our society. The FBI in Michigan has zero tolerance for threats to our citizens and remains firmly committed to protecting the communities we call home. I would like to thank the dedicated members from the FBI Oakland County Resident Agency, Dearborn Police Department, Bloomfield Township Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan for their tireless work and partnership in bringing this case to justice.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Carlson prosecuted.