‘I’ll kill you’: Florida man pleads guilty to threats against Michigan Muslim organization

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (FOX 2) – A Florida man who threatened violence against a Michigan Muslim organization pleaded guilty this week to uttering threats in interstate commerce.

Michael Shaprio, 72, of West Palm Beach, Florida, made three threatening calls to the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) late last year, according to the Department of Justice.

“I’m going to kill you (expletive),” he said in one voicemail.

In another, Shaprio again threatened to kill Muslims. In his third call to CAIR, he disparaged Muslims.

“You are cruel people. Why did you come to America? Why did you come to Europe? Mother (swear). You are cruel. You are murderers. You are rapists. I’m going to kill you, mom. (expletive),” he said.

Shaprio admitted that he chose to harass and threaten the organization because of the religion and alleged national origin of the people CAIR represents.

“No one should be able to threaten violence and instill fear in an entire community. “Today’s sentencing should send a clear message that those who do this will be investigated, identified and aggressively prosecuted,” said US Attorney Dawn Ison.