Dearborn man Hassan Chokr sentenced after antisemitic tirade at Temple Beth El

By Robert Snell, Medianews Group

A Dearborn man who terrorized Jewish dad and mom and their preschool youngsters throughout an anti -Semitic tirade exterior Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township, was sentenced to virtually three years within the federal jail on Wednesday.

The 34 -month punishment of Hassan Chokr concludes a authorized chapter on account of an incident in December 2022 that drawn nationwide consideration on ethnic intimidation and a rise in anti -Semitic incidents. Final yr the Anti-Defamation League adopted 9,354 incidents within the US, a rise of 5 % in comparison with a yr earlier.

The federal case in opposition to Chokr, 38, a prison who owned unlawful firearms after leaving the temple to “even the rating”, was caught within the midst of concern about his psychological well being and competence. These worries introduced prosecutors to attempt in useless Digemage the man with violence Earlier than Chokr was competed after a therapy.

“The hateful actions of Hassan Chokr brought about actual concern and ache in our municipality, particularly amongst our younger households who had been instantly hit,” mentioned Temple Beth El govt director Rachel Ellis in an announcement to the Detroit Information. “In the present day’s conviction brings a sure diploma of accountability, however we all know that the influence of anti -Semitism lingers exterior the courtroom. At Temple Beth El we stay devoted to resilience, security and constructing a group based mostly on hope, therapeutic and energy.”

Prosecutors wished to convict the American district decide Jon JC Grey to sentence Chokr More than 33 months in prisonHis actions ‘extraordinarily severe and disturbing’.

“The pathogenic anti -Semitic threats of Chokr and his obvious try and make them up with weapons are a part of an alarming sample of violence to believers,” mentioned American lawyer Jerome Gorgon in an announcement. “And we are going to do all the pieces in our energy to struggle this hatred and to guard the American household and to worship God with out concern.”

Chokr is ready for punishment in a associated case within the Circuit Court docket of Oakland County. He didn’t argue final month for 2 counts of ethnic intimidation and responsible of levying the standard violation. A contender plea with no competitors or nolo just isn’t a responsible admission, however is handled as such for conviction functions.

Within the federal case, Chokr’s lawyer, Nabih Ayad, requested his shopper launched. He famous that Chokr has been in custody since December 4, 2022 and has suffered lengthy -term psychological issues.

“This case presents a suspect who, regardless of his errors, by no means took violence, by no means harm one other individual and isn’t a hazard to the group,” Ayad written In a conviction memo. “Hassan Chokr accepts the duty for his conduct and is repented, humiliated and devoted to constructing a authority -guiding future for this court docket.”

Chokr, who was sentenced earlier in 2017 for a monetary crime, was convicted for 4 months after he was discovered responsible of a prison in possession of a firearm. In alternate, prosecutors agreed to drop a cost that Chokr accused of mendacity about his prison document whereas making an attempt to purchase firearms at Dearborn Outdoor Gun Store.

“The character and circumstances of Chokr’s crime are irregular and disturbing historical past and his repeated contempt for authorized authority justifies the jail sentence that the federal government is on the lookout for right here,” assistant lawyer Frances Carlson written In a conviction memorandum.

The prison case arose in December 2022 after Chokr drove via the car parking zone of the Temple Beth El. He shouted: “You are going to pay … F – Israel! F – Jews! As he stored his center finger exterior the automobile window, the general public prosecutor mentioned.

After the departure, Chokr drove to the Wapenwinkel and handled six firearms, promoted promotions on the surveillance cameras of the shop. He then crammed in a background management type to purchase a semi-automatic gun, an AR-15-Vecolis and pump motion shotgun however when he was requested to be eligible to have a firearm, in keeping with the federal government.

“In anticipation of the outcomes of the background management within the Wapenwinkel, Chokr said:” It’s not a good struggle right here. I even go to the rating. I even go actually quick, actually quick, “wrote the general public prosecutor.” Chokr additionally mentioned he would use the weapons for “God’s wrath.”

Chokr’s lawyer objected to the federal government who tried to guard an extended sentence by mentioning alleged lies through the background verify, because the prison indictment was rejected as a part of plea negotiations.

In the course of the incident in Temple Beth El El El Elkr didn’t criticize the Jewish religion or the Jewish folks, mentioned his lawyer.

“… he solely expressed his opinion concerning the state of Israel and the coverage,” Ayad wrote. “The suspect exercised his first modification rights, by criticizing the state of Israel and the coverage, not the Jewish religion or the folks (one thing that almost all of the world additionally does) and didn’t threaten any people.”

Chokr has by no means been a violent individual and by no means hurts anybody, mentioned his lawyer. Earlier than the latest authorized issues, Chokr operated a mechanic and panorama structure and earned round $ 7,500 a month.

“In the course of the pandemic, his psychological well being fell and he suffered a psychological break from the lack of his canine,” Ayad wrote.

The go to of the Wapenwinkel was a “stunt” for the eye of social media, his lawyer added.

Now Chokr takes prescribed treatment “and is planning to do that to remain competent,” wrote his lawyer.

rsnell@detroitnews.com

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Initially printed: September 25, 2025 at 9:44 am Edt