Jeremy Fistel, a 44-year-old Plano resident, was arraigned September 18 in Queens on a 22-count indictment for making terroristic threats as a hate crime after allegedly sending death threats to New York State Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim politician and mayoral candidate, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Prosecutors allege that beginning in June, Fistel left multiple threatening voicemails and written messages for Mamdani, who is the son of Ugandan immigrants. In one message, he allegedly told the assemblyman to "go back to Uganda before someone shoots you in the head and gets rid of your whole family," while in another, he warned: "Go on and start your car. See what happens… Watch your back every second until you get out of America," according to TX3DNews reporting.
Coordinated Law Enforcement Response
Plano Police Department coordinated Fistel's arrest after receiving information from New York authorities. Public Information Officer Jerry Minton confirmed to TX3DNews that "Plano detectives received a BOLO (be on the lookout) notice regarding an individual living in Plano". Patrol officers responded to Fistel's address and took him into custody before New York personnel transported him to Queens to face charges.
Fistel's attorneys entered a not guilty plea, but if convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. His next court date is scheduled for November 19. District Attorney Katz characterized the threats as "increasingly alarming" and emphasized there is "no room for hate or bigotry in our political discourse".
Local Community Fears Rising Anti-Muslim Sentiment
The case has intensified safety concerns among Muslim families in Collin County, who point to a troubling pattern of incidents targeting their community. Dr. Taha Ansari, a McKinney physician and community leader, told TX3DNews that such incidents "create a sense of vulnerability and fear" for families who have lived in the area for decades.
"When something like this happens so close to home, it shakes that sense of belonging," Ansari explained, noting recent vandalism at the McKinney Islamic Association and a separate incident where a man entered a local mosque saying he wanted mosques gone from America.
Ansari emphasized the broader community impact, explaining that "parents worry more when dropping their kids off at school or youth activities" and that places of worship "often have to add security, which can make a sanctuary feel more like a guarded space".
Political Rhetoric Under Scrutiny
The incident has sparked debate about the role of political rhetoric in encouraging anti-Muslim sentiment. Ansari specifically criticized U.S. Representative Keith Self (R-TX-03), who represents much of Collin County and has frequently raised concerns about Islam and Sharia law.
On September 17, Self pinned a message to his official social media account stating "Sharia has no place in America," according to TX3DNews. Ansari argued that "when elected officials use fear-mongering language or single out a demographic, it legitimizes prejudice and emboldens extremists".
Democratic candidate Evan Hunt, who is running against Self in TX-03, connected the Plano arrest to broader questions of religious freedom. "Violent threats and hateful acts—whether a Plano man threatening a political leader in New York or a welcome sign vandalized in McKinney—undermine the freedoms our Founding Fathers enshrined in the First Amendment," Hunt stated to TX3DNews.
Community Leaders Seek Unity
Despite the challenges, Ansari praised local McKinney leadership for their response. "Mayor Bill Cox and the City Council were quick to condemn the vandalism and express solidarity. That makes a difference," he told TX3DNews. He emphasized that local leaders can help by "speaking out firmly against hate and by investing in partnerships, interfaith efforts, and public education that highlight our shared values".
Broader Implications for Religious Freedom
The case highlights ongoing tensions over religious freedom and political discourse in North Texas communities with growing Muslim populations. As Ansari noted to TX3DNews: "Muslims in Collin County are proud Americans who contribute to every part of our community — business, schools, health care, public service. We want our children to grow up feeling safe and valued, not singled out because of their faith".
The prosecution of Fistel's case in New York, combined with the local law enforcement cooperation and community response, underscores how hate crimes transcend geographical boundaries while highlighting the need for continued dialogue about religious tolerance and political rhetoric in diverse American communities.