Current:Home > FinanceA judge orders prison for a Michigan man who made threats against Jewish people-InfoLens
A judge orders prison for a Michigan man who made threats against Jewish people
View Date:2024-12-23 14:31:48
A 20-year-old Michigan man who admitted using social media to make violent threats against Jewish people was sentenced Monday to a year and a day in prison, far short of what prosecutors had recommended.
A sentence exceeding a year makes someone eligible for good conduct credits and a shorter stay in federal custody.
Seann Pietila, who has been locked up since June, was accused of using Instagram to spread neo-Nazi ideology, discuss plans to kill people and praise mass shooters.
Pietila admitted that he told someone last summer about a plan to kill or injure Jewish people and wanted to post the attack online. The FBI said Pietila also had written the name of the Shaarey Zedek congregation in East Lansing, near Michigan State University, on his phone along with a 2024 date.
“He never sent the note to anyone or posted it in a public forum,” defense attorney Scott Tilton said.
Pietila moved to the Lansing area from the Upper Peninsula when he was 16 years old. Tilton said he’s had cognitive issues as well as depression and anxiety.
“Mr. Pietila understands that his words have meaning, his messages were harmful, and that there are consequences for his actions,” Tilton said in a court filing.
Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of nearly three years. But U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker settled on 366 days, along with $10,648 in restitution to the synagogue for security. Pietila will get credit for nearly nine months already spent in jail.
“The preponderance of the evidence supports the conclusion that (Pietila) started down a path of desiring to kill people because of their religion or race and was interrupted by law enforcement before he was able to act on his desire,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher O’Connor said in a court document.
___
Follow Ed White on X, formerly Twitter: @edwritez
veryGood! (2572)
Related
- Get $103 Worth of Tatcha Skincare for $43.98 + 70% Off Flash Deals on Elemis, Josie Maran & More
- What is French fashion? How to transform your style into Parisian chic
- Man arrested in connection with attempt to ship a ton of meth to Australia
- Elle King says dad Rob Schneider sent her to 'fat camp,' forgot birthday
- A crowd of strangers brought 613 cakes and then set out to eat them
- Who won at the box office this weekend? The Reynolds-Lively household
- Tom Cruise crashes Paris Olympics closing ceremony with thrilling rappel, skydiving stunt
- Ryan Reynolds thanks Marvel for 'Deadpool & Wolverine' slams; Jude Law is a Jedi
- Florida State can't afford to fire Mike Norvell -- and can't afford to keep him
- Tom Cruise crashes Paris Olympics closing ceremony with thrilling rappel, skydiving stunt
Ranking
- How Saturday Night Live Reacted to Donald Trump’s Win Over Kamala Harris
- Powerball winning numbers for August 10 drawing: Jackpot now worth $212 million
- Elle King Explains Why Rob Schneider Was a Toxic Dad
- Dozens of dogs, cats and other animals in ‘horrid’ condition rescued from a Connecticut home
- 'Cowboy Carter' collaborators to be first country artists to perform at Rolling Loud
- Sifan Hassan wins women’s marathon at Paris Olympics after trading elbows with Tigst Assefa
- Ana Barbosu Breaks Silence After Her Appeal Leads Jordan Chiles to Lose Her Olympic Bronze Medal
- The US Navy’s warship production is in its worst state in 25 years. What’s behind it?
Recommendation
-
Pentagon secrets leaker Jack Teixeira set to be sentenced, could get up to 17 years in prison
-
Elle King Explains Why Rob Schneider Was a Toxic Dad
-
Britney Spears and Megan Fox are not alone: Shoplifting is more common than you think
-
Diamond Shruumz recall: FDA reports new hospitalizations, finds illegal substances
-
Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
-
Olympics 2024: Tom Cruise Ends Closing Ceremony With Truly Impossible Stunt
-
Diamond Shruumz recall: FDA reports new hospitalizations, finds illegal substances
-
Inside a Michigan military school where families leave teenagers out of love, desperation