PHILADELPHIA – In a chilling case of cyberstalking and religious hate, Donavon Parish, 29, from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has pleaded guilty to making a series of malicious phone calls targeting synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Parish, who made these calls using a Voice over Internet Protocol service between April and May 2022, admitted to referencing the Holocaust and spewing hate-filled rhetoric such as “Heil Hitler” and “all Jews must die.” His actions have led to charges including cyberstalking and abuse and harassment using a telecommunications device.
The defendant’s attacks were not only aimed at spreading fear but also based on his victims’ religion. According to U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, Parish faces a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $1,500,000 fine, and three years of supervised release if convicted.
“Cyberstalking is already a serious violation, but targeting victims based on their religion makes it an abhorrent hate crime,” said Attorney Romero. “We will continue to work tirelessly to hold accountable those who misuse technology to spread hate.”
Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Philadelphia, echoed these sentiments, stating that antisemitism has no place in society. “Today’s guilty plea reinforces our commitment to justice for those threatened by such vile threats,” he said.
The investigation was led by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with assistance from DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and the National Security Division (Counterterrorism Section). Assistant United States Attorney J. Jeanette Kang and Justin Sher are handling the prosecution.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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