‘Muslims don’t belong here’: Texas man accused of threatening Mamdani

A Texas man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to hate crime charges for allegedly threatening New York State Assemblyman and New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani with death.

The allegations: Jeremy Fistel, 44, is accused of sending Mamdani threats through various channels between June and July. In one voicemail message dated June 11, he allegedly told the Uganda-born Indian American official, “Hey Zohran, you should go back to fucking Uganda before someone shoots you in the fucking head and gets rid of your whole fucking family, too. You piece of shit Muslims don’t belong here.”

Overall, Fistel faces four counts of making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, four counts of making a terroristic threat, seven counts of second degree aggravated harassment as a hate crime and seven counts of second degree aggravated harassment. A conviction on the top charge could land him up to 15 years in prison.

About the suspect: So far, little is known about Fistel, who resides in Plano. Investigators say he blocked his caller ID during the threatening calls and used his personal email account for written messages. His lawyer reportedly cited free speech rights and criticized prosecutors for “seriously overcharging this case.” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, however, emphasized the gravity of the case: “Let me be very clear — we take threats of violence against any office holder extremely seriously — and there is no room for hate or bigotry in our political discourse.”

Meanwhile, the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) applauded the arrest, with Executive Director Afaf Nasher declaring, “No public servant — or any individual — should be subjected to Islamophobic harassment or violence simply for serving their community or for being who they are.”

Mamdani’s response: Fistel’s prosecution comes as Mamdani receives Gov. Kathy Hochul’s endorsement. In a statement, his campaign thanked prosecutors while noting that such incidents demonstrate “a broader climate of hate that has no place in our city.” Mamdani also assured supporters of his safety, vowing, “We cannot and will not be intimidated by racism, Islamophobia and hate.” Security protocols were enhanced following the threats, with incumbent Mayor Eric Adams confirming Mamdani now has “a full police detail” while criticizing him for spending his life “bashing the NYPD.”

Fistel, who is currently out on bail, is set to return to court on Nov. 19.