A Florida resident, Michael Shapiro, has admitted guilt in a federal case involving threats against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Michigan Chapter. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison, with participation from Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI's Detroit Field Division and Chad Baugh, Chief of the Canton Police Department.
Court documents reveal that Shapiro, aged 72 from West Palm Beach, Florida, left threatening voicemails at CAIR’s office in Canton, Michigan on three occasions in December 2023. His messages included explicit threats to kill members of the organization and derogatory comments about Muslims.
Shapiro confessed to one count of transmitting threats across state lines. He acknowledged targeting CAIR due to the religious and national origins of its employees and those it serves.
U.S. Attorney Ison emphasized that "no one should be able to threaten violence and instill fear on an entire community," adding that such actions will lead to prosecution. Cheyvoryea Gibson stated that Shapiro's guilty plea "underscores the FBI's unwavering commitment to protecting individuals from hate and intolerance." He noted that this conviction highlights serious consequences for hate-fueled threats and is a testament to effective collaboration between law enforcement agencies.
The investigation was carried out by the FBI and Canton Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Lee Carlson handling prosecution duties.