Jiafeng Chen, Damaging Religious Property, Michigan 2023

Related Federal Cases

James W. Clark, Making Threatening Interstate Communication, Phoeni… · Michigan
Peter Francis Stager, Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Officers, … · District of Columbia
Richard Barnett Sentenced to 54 Months for Capitol Breach, Gravette… · District of Columbia
Richard Barnett Convicted of Capitol Breach, Washington DC, 2021 · Pennsylvania
Noah Clark, Molotov Cocktail Attack on Planned Parenthood, Denver C… · Florida

Table of Contents

Swastikas Painted on Kalamazoo Chabad House

In a disturbing incident of hate crime, Jiafeng Chen, 27, has been charged with damaging religious property after spray-painting swastikas on the Chabad House of Kalamazoo in November 2023.

A prominent menorah in front of the house was also defaced. The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum historically associated with the Jewish faith.

“Every faith community in this country has the right to gather and worship free from intimidation,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Defacing religious property is not mere vandalism. It’s an attack on a constitutional right that tries to tell certain people they’re not welcome in the community. We will continue to work with our partners to prevent these crimes and hold those who commit them swiftly accountable.”

The Information alleges that Chen vandalized the house because of the Jewish characteristics of individuals associated with it. The Chabad organization conducts religious, cultural and community activities at the house, including Jewish religious services.

“This single incident created confusion, fear, and intimidation in our community,” said Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief David Boysen. “We are thankful to have such dedicated officers, like Detective Stolsonburg, who put countless hours into this investigation. Only due to the continued partnerships and support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, the FBI, and the Task Force Officer’s position, were we able to see successful charges in this investigation.”

“People of all faiths should not live in fear because of the religion they choose to practice,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners have remained vocal advocates of protecting all places of worship and are committed to removing those from our communities who resort to bias-motivated violence.”

The charge in an information is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.