West Palm Beach Man Indicted for Making Threats Against CAIR Michigan Chapter

DETROIT – Michael Shapiro, a 72-year-old resident of West Palm Beach, Florida, faces charges after allegedly making repeated threats against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Michigan Chapter, announced U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison today.

Joined by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Chad Baugh, Chief of the Canton Police Department, Ison revealed the details of the indictment.

According to the indictment, Shapiro placed three separate phone calls to CAIR’s office in Canton, Michigan, leaving voicemails containing violent threats:

• December 8, 2023: “I’m going to kill you bastards. I’m going to kill you bastards.”
• December 14, 2023: “I’m going to kill you mother fing bastards. Muslims! I’m going to kill you mother fers. I’m going to kill you! I’m going to kill you! I’m going to kill you!”
• December 15, 2023: “You’re a violent people. Why do you come to America? Why do you come to Europe? Mother fers. You’re violent. You’re killers. You’re rapists. I’m going to kill you mother fers!”

Shapiro faces three counts of transmitting threats in interstate commerce, with the indictment alleging that he intentionally targeted CAIR due to the religion and national origin of its staff and those it assists.

“Today’s charges should serve as a warning that those who threaten violence, especially when they intend to instill fear in an entire community, will be identified, investigated, and aggressively prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Ison.

Gibson emphasized, “Threats motivated by religious bias can have a devastating impact on an entire faith community. For this reason, hate crimes are one of the FBI’s highest investigative priorities.”

Chief Baugh expressed gratitude for the partnership with the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office in addressing Shapiro's threats, reinforcing their commitment to combating hate crimes and ensuring community safety.

Shapiro faces up to 10 years in prison for each of the three counts if convicted. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Canton Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Lee Carlson prosecuting.