Queens, New York, has found itself at the center of a disturbing and complex case involving hate crimes, threats against a prominent political figure, and a broader conversation about public safety and the role of law enforcement. The story, which has unfolded over the past several months, weaves together chilling threats, a cross-state manhunt, and the determined work of local authorities determined to keep their community safe.
At the heart of the case is Jeremy Fistel, a 44-year-old man from Texas, who now faces a 22-count indictment in New York. Fistel was extradited to New York City after being arrested in Plano, Texas, and arraigned on September 18, 2025, in Queens Supreme Court. The charges stem from a series of violent and hate-filled threats he made against Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim US citizen, mayoral frontrunner, and Democratic nominee for the New York State Assembly. According to The New York Post, Fistel left a slew of threatening voicemails and online messages between June 11 and July 23, 2025, targeting Mamdani and his family with explicit threats of violence and death.
One particularly chilling voicemail, left on June 17 and obtained by The New York Post, stated: "You’re a terrorist piece of s–t, and you’re not welcome in New York or in America, neither is your f–king family so they should get the f–k out." The threats escalated over time. In another message, Fistel warned, "Go start your car and see what happens. I’d keep an eye on your house and family. Watch your f–king back every f–king second until you get the f–k out of America." The hate and violence in these messages were unmistakable, and authorities say the threats continued despite an initial police report from a staffer at Mamdani's office on June 18, 2025.
Fistel's campaign of harassment didn't stop at voicemails. On July 8, he allegedly left a message on Mamdani’s website stating he’d "love to see an IDF bullet go through your skull" and that "it would be even better if you had to watch your wife and kids murdered in front [of] you." Later, on July 23, Fistel again repeated his desire to see Mamdani shot, writing, "All you and your Muslim f–k loser friends and relatives and family and wife and kids deserve to die." These explicit threats, authorities say, were not just empty words; they reflected a broader climate of hate that has become all too common in recent years.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the diligent efforts that led to Fistel’s arrest. According to NY1, DA Katz explained how law enforcement was able to track down Fistel by following his digital trail, leading to his arrest in Texas and subsequent extradition to New York. Katz also discussed the importance of cracking down on hate crimes and making residents feel safer in their homes, emphasizing the DA’s office’s ongoing efforts to remove illegal guns from the streets through buyback events and to dismantle criminal networks through specialized task forces.
Fistel’s arraignment in Queens Supreme Court was a tense affair. Wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans, he remained silent as his lawyer entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. Judge Michelle Johnson set bail at $30,000 cash and ordered Fistel not to contact Mamdani. Fistel’s defense attorney, Todd Greenberg, argued that while the messages were "unpleasant," they still fell under the protection of free speech. "In the political arena today, many politicians say things you can’t believe is coming out of their mouth," Greenberg said in court, suggesting that the case against his client was "weak."
But prosecutors saw things differently. Assistant District Attorney Christina Mavrikis recounted Fistel’s reaction when confronted by police outside his Texas home. "If this is about phone calls, I just won’t make any anymore," he reportedly told authorities. Fistel also expressed his reluctance to return to New York to face the charges, allegedly telling police, "That place is like an alcoholic that has hit rock bottom." Despite his objections, Fistel spent seven days in a Texas jail before being transported to New York, thanks in part to the coordinated efforts of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force and the US Marshals Service regional fugitive task force.
Fistel faces a daunting legal battle ahead. The indictment includes four counts of making terroristic threats as a hate crime, four counts of making terroristic threats, seven counts of aggravated harassment in the second degree as a hate crime, and seven counts of aggravated harassment in the second degree. If convicted of the top charge, he could face up to 15 years in prison. In addition, Fistel has a prior conviction from June 2019 for federal marijuana trafficking, a detail that further complicates his legal situation.
The response from Mamdani’s campaign was measured but resolute. In a statement quoted by The New York Post, a representative said, "Unfortunately, threats of this nature are all too common—and they reflect a broader climate of hate that has no place in our city. We respect the judicial process and will not be commenting further on the details of the case." The statement also thanked Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office "for treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves."
The broader context of the case underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement and public officials in addressing not just high-profile hate crimes, but also the everyday safety concerns of residents. DA Katz, in her conversation with NY1, highlighted ongoing efforts to combat gun violence, including initiatives to get ghost guns off the streets and buyback events that aim to reduce the number of illegal firearms in circulation. She also pointed to the work of specialized task forces targeting gangs and human trafficking, reflecting a multifaceted approach to public safety that goes beyond high-profile prosecutions.
Meanwhile, the Bellerose community in Queens was rocked by another tragedy, as DA Katz discussed the case of two elderly residents killed in their homes. Here, too, law enforcement relied on digital forensics to track down the suspect, a reminder of the increasingly sophisticated tools at their disposal—but also of the persistent dangers that can lurk even in quiet neighborhoods.
As the legal proceedings against Jeremy Fistel move forward—his next court appearance is scheduled for November 19, 2025—the case remains a stark reminder of the real and present dangers posed by hate-fueled rhetoric and the importance of a robust response from law enforcement and the justice system. For Queens and for New York City as a whole, the work to ensure public safety and to push back against hate continues, day by day, case by case.
