Hassan Chokr, a 38-year-old resident of Dearborn, Michigan, was sentenced to 34 months in prison for illegally possessing firearms after an incident involving antisemitic threats at a synagogue. The announcement was made 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 into the building. He shouted antisemitic profanities and threatened those present, saying they would “pay.” After being asked to leave the premises, Chokr went to a gun store in Dearborn where he handled several 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 with his finger on the trigger.
Chokr attempted to purchase all three firearms but falsely claimed on required paperwork that he had never been convicted of a felony offense. In reality, he had previously been convicted of such an offense several years earlier. While waiting for his background check results, Chokr reportedly said he would “even the score” and use the guns for “God’s wrath.” His attempt to buy the firearms was ultimately denied when his background check revealed his prior conviction.
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.
