The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR Maryland), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the sentencing of an Aberdeen man who admitted making online threats targeting Black and Muslim communities, as well as public officials and their families. The defendant was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty earlier this year to transmitting threats in interstate commerce.
In February, CAIR Maryland welcomed the defendant’s guilty plea, saying it sent a clear message that threats of violence targeting minority communities would not be tolerated.
In a statement, CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“We welcome today’s sentence as another important step toward accountability for those who use online platforms to target Black, Muslim, and other vulnerable communities. Hate-filled threats are not protected expressions of opinion. They are criminal acts that inflict real fear, undermine public safety, and can inspire acts of violence.
“We thank federal prosecutors and law enforcement agencies for pursuing this case and demonstrating that those who target minority communities with threats of violence will face serious consequences. At a time when hate incidents continue to impact communities across our nation, it is essential that authorities respond swiftly and decisively.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR’s latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR Government Affairs Coordinator Shafiquil Mushana, smushana@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com