Man Admits Making Violent Threats Against Religious Organizations

Texas resident pleads guilty to federal hate crime and interstate threat charges, faces up to 15 years in prison.

NEW JERSEY - A Dallas County man pleaded guilty to federal charges after threatening employees of a Sikh nonprofit organization with violence and death, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna of the District of New Jersey and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kathleen Wolfe of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced. Bushan Athale, 49, of Dallas, Texas, admitted to one count of interfering with federally protected activities and one count of transmitting an interstate threat, both tied to hate-based and violent messages he directed toward individuals of the Sikh faith.

Threats to Sikh Nonprofit Employees

On or about September 17, 2022, Athale left seven voicemails at the main number of a U.S. civil rights organization advocating on behalf of Sikh individuals. These messages contained violent imagery, obscenity, and explicit references designed to harm or terrorize, including talk of forcibly shaving the victims’ hair, forcing them to consume tobacco—both acts deeply offensive to the Sikh faith—and using a razor to “show [them] the heaven.”

Additional threats followed on March 21, 2024, when Athale again called the same organization, leaving two more voicemails expressing hatred not only toward Sikhs, but also Muslims, and incorporating anti-Semitic remarks. In his guilty plea, Athale acknowledged a longstanding pattern of threatening behavior aimed at various religious communities, including messages sent to a former co-worker and another message to a recruiter he believed to be Muslim.

History of Harassing Messages

Athale admitted that in November 2021, he messaged a former co-worker, proclaiming his hatred for Pakistanis and Muslims. He also wrote, “I hate you, I just don’t know how to kill your whole family including you? Tell me??? I will figure it out […] Probably I will hire a Jew, they will be most happy.” In May 2024, Athale further harassed a recruiter he believed to be Muslim, stating “you will be dead” and “If you dont [sic] back off you are killed.”

Potential Sentences

Each of Athale’s federal charges—interfering with federally protected activities and transmitting an interstate threat—carries significant penalties. Interfering with federally protected activities can lead to a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, while the interstate threat charge carries up to 5 years. Both counts also allow for fines as high as $250,000 and a term of supervised release following any imprisonment.

“Threats of violence have no place in our society,” said Vikas Khanna, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. “Every individual in this country must be free to practice their religion without fear of violence or persecution. We will continue to ensure the safety of our communities by prosecuting those who threaten our basic American freedoms.”

Investigation and Prosecution

Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited the FBI Philadelphia Division, led by Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, with uncovering Athale’s threatening communications. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara A. Aliabadi and Jason M. Richardson of the District of New Jersey’s Civil Rights Division in Camden, together with Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“Every citizen has the right to feel safe, secure, and free from fear of violence or hate,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office. “We are deeply grateful to our law enforcement and community partners who stand with us daily. Together, we remain steadfast in pursuing those who threaten the safety and well-being of the people we are sworn to protect.”

As with all criminal matters, the charges and allegations are merely accusations, and Athale remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Sentencing is scheduled for June 3, 2025, when Athale could face up to 15 years in prison and substantial fines.