A Jewish Texas man has been charged with making anti-Muslim and violent threats against New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, authorities said on Thursday.
Jeremy Fistel, 44, was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on a 22-count indictment, including charges of making a terroristic threat and aggravated harassment. Prosecutors said the threats were made over a seven-week period starting in June, as Mamdani’s public profile rose.
Fistel, who was extradited from Plano, Texas, earlier this week, pleaded not guilty. Judge Michelle Johnson set bail at $30,000 and issued an order of protection for Mamdani. If convicted of the most serious charges, Fistel could face up to 15 years in prison.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, the threats were made through voicemails and messages sent to Mamdani’s district office in Astoria and via his official website. One message reportedly said, “Go on and start your car. See what happens,” while others included slurs and references to Mamdani’s Muslim faith. Another message stated: “I’d love to see an IDF bullet go through your skull.”
Mamdani, a Democratic assemblyman representing Queens, would be the city’s first Muslim mayor if elected. His campaign reported the threats to law enforcement in June.
Texas man arrested for threats against Zohran Mamdani
“We take threats of violence against any office holder extremely seriously, and there is no room for hate or bigotry in our political discourse,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.
Mamdani’s campaign said he was grateful for the response from law enforcement and remained committed to his campaign.
Fistel has a prior federal conviction from 2012 for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. According to court records, he grew up in Massachusetts and holds a degree in accounting from the University of Maryland.
At Thursday’s arraignment, Fistel appeared in a black hooded sweatshirt and jeans. Assistant District Attorney Christina Mavrikis read excerpts from the voicemails aloud in court. Fistel did not react, but nodded when his attorney, Todd Greenberg, told the judge that Fistel did not intend to cause harm and did not believe the calls were criminal.
Fistel told police in Texas he had no plans to travel to New York City and described himself as “a regular guy.” He was arrested on September 12 by the Plano Police Department and transferred to New York five days later.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the case, saying the police response showed professionalism regardless of political affiliation.
“It goes to show these officers carry out their jobs no matter who the individual is,” Adams said.