The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has charged a 48-year-old Indian-American man, Bhushan Athale, with federal hate crimes for allegedly threatening employees of a Sikh nonprofit organization.
According to an official statement, Athale could face a maximum of 10 years in prison for allegedly interfering with federally protected activities by threatening to use a dangerous weapon. He also faces a possible maximum penalty of five years for an interstate threat, with both charges carrying fines of up to $250,000 each.
A complaint filed on September 17, 2022, accused Athale of making threatening calls to the organization dedicated to safeguarding the rights of Sikh individuals in the US.
The statement elaborated that Athale allegedly left seven voicemails expressing "extreme hatred" for Sikh employees and threatening to harm or kill them with a razor. The voicemails reportedly contained violent imagery, obscenities, and references significant to the Sikh religion.
In addition to targeting the Sikh community, Athale allegedly made threats against the Muslim community in two other voicemails sent in March.
The investigation revealed a pattern of religious-based comments and threats by Athale, including previous expressions of hatred towards Pakistan and Muslims. In one instance, he allegedly expressed a desire to harm a former colleague and their family, suggesting he would hire someone to carry out the act.
