Antisemitic Threats Lead to Prison Sentence

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — Sean Pietila, 20, of Pickford, Michigan, has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for making violent threats to kill Jewish people on June 1-2, 2023. Pietila, who was residing in Lansing, Michigan at the time, targeted a Jewish synagogue in East Lansing and specified a date in March 2024, alongside compiling a wish list of firearms and other weapons, as revealed by evidence collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

"Today and every day we will take swift action to detect and disrupt hate crimes," stated U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. "No Michigander should live in fear because of their race, ethnicity, religion, or any other protected status. I’m incredibly grateful to FBI Michigan and our other law enforcement partners for their diligence and dedication."

In November 2023, Pietila pleaded guilty to sending numerous threatening messages to an Instagram user located outside of Michigan. These messages, laden with references to Adolf Hitler and antisemitic language, outlined Pietila’s desire and plans to carry out a mass shooting similar to a specific past mass shooter. During a federal search warrant executed in June 2023, typed notes on Pietila’s cell phone were discovered, detailing plans for a mass shooting and suicide. United States District Judge Robert Jonker sentenced Pietila to serve 12 months and one day in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $10,648 in

"I am incredibly proud of the work of our office and appreciative of the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners in bringing the defendant to justice," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "There is absolutely no tolerance for threats of violence and intimidation in the state of Michigan and in our society. The FBI will vigorously pursue those who commit these actions."

The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, TRI-County Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT), Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET), and Michigan State Police Emergency Services Team. Assistant United States Attorney Chris O’Connor prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

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