DOJ charges former El-Sayed staffer, others with conspiracy to intimidate Michigan Jews

The additional indictments, announced Friday, bring the total number of defendants to 12. Prosecutors allege the conspirators targeted the Jewish Federation of Detroit, university leaders, law enforcement personnel and businesses with perceived ties to Israel through threats, vandalism and coordinated acts of intimidation.

Odeh, 24, of Dearborn, was among the eight defendants indicted in June. El-Sayed’s campaign confirmed her employment, initially saying she worked for the campaign for two weeks before correcting that account.

According to The Detroit News, campaign spokeswoman Roxie Richner subsequently said Odeh was hired in February and left April 15. The campaign also issued a missed hourly payment in May. Campaign finance disclosures showed salary payments of $154 on March 3 and $593 on March 13.

Richner separately told Deadline Detroit that Odeh had worked as an hourly organizer and said, “We were not aware of any allegations against her when she was hired.”

Odeh was charged with conspiracy to transmit threats in interstate and foreign commerce. The original indictment identified her as president of Students Allied for Freedom and Equality, known as SAFE.

Among the allegations specifically involving Odeh, prosecutors accused her and others of vandalizing a Rolls Royce Solutions America facility in June 2024. They allegedly padlocked doors, painted inverted red triangles on the building, left red handprints on windows and threw red paint balloons at its sign.

The four newly charged defendants are Henry David MacKeen-Shapiro, 23; Aaron Hunter Vonbargen, 25; Joseph Mark Fisher, 23; and Srishti Tarana Sharma, 23. MacKeen-Shapiro and Vonbargen were arrested during the week, while the other two remained at large as of Friday’s announcement, according to the Justice Department.

According to prosecutors, the alleged conspirators developed detailed plans following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks to pressure university leaders and businesses into severing any perceived affiliation with Israel. Those who refused their demands allegedly faced threats of continued retaliation and escalating criminal conduct.

The broader conspiracy allegedly included breaking windows, spray-painting threats, and throwing glass jars containing noxious chemicals into family homes. Prosecutors said participants marked homes and workplaces with red handprints and inverted red triangles, which the Justice Department described as symbols associated with Hamas.

Investigators allege participants used encrypted messaging applications, social media, and overseas collaboration tools to research and identify victims. After the alleged attacks, they posted photographs alongside additional threats intended to intimidate both the victims and others who supported Israel.

Targets included the Jewish Federation of Detroit, two university regents, other university leaders, a university police lieutenant, a student and two businesses.

“These alleged attempts to terrorize our Jewish community and government officials are nothing new,” US Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. said. “From Pharaoh to Hitler to Hamas, those who terrorize Jews have been the bad guys. As Americans, our job is to fight the bad guys.”

“Those who believe they can threaten families, hide behind a group, and avoid accountability should think again. Justice will find you,” said Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office.

The case also figured in concerns about antisemitism within the Michigan Democratic Party. Attorney General Dana Nessel said in August that five defendants indicted in June were party members who remained eligible to attend its convention despite the pending charges.

A letter signed by 200 Jewish leaders and obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show demanded protections for Jewish attendees. Party leadership condemned the alleged conduct and said it was committed to protecting participants.