Highlights:
An Indian-origin woman is among 12 people indicted in the Michigan over an alleged conspiracy involving threats, vandalism and intimidation targeting the Jewish community and University of Michigan officials.
Srishti Tarana Sharma, 23, is one of four additional defendants charged in the expanding federal investigation in Michigan. The case involves allegations of coordinated attacks against Jewish organisations, university leadership, law enforcement personnel and businesses perceived to have connections with Israel.
According to the Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, the latest charges were announced on Friday (30) by US Attorney Jerome F Gorgon Jr. The new indictment brings the total number of defendants to 12.
The other newly charged individuals are Henry David MacKeen-Shapiro, 23, Aaron Hunter Vonbargen, 25, and Joseph Mark Fisher, 23.
According to The Times of India, Sharma is of Indian origin and is based in Canada. She remains at large, along with Fisher, while MacKeen-Shapiro and Vonbargen were arrested ahead of their initial court appearances.
What are the allegations against the Indian-origin woman?
Sharma faces one count of conspiracy to transmit threats in interstate and foreign commerce and another charge related to the destruction of property, according to reporting by The Detroit News.
The allegations against her include involvement in efforts to obstruct a federal investigation. According to the indictment, she allegedly warned other members of the group in April 2025 that investigators were attempting to execute a search warrant at the home of co-defendant Alexander Sepulveda.
She allegedly instructed members to remove Sepulveda from their encrypted group chats following the development.
The allegations form part of a wider investigation into a group accused of coordinating threats and property attacks against individuals and organisations perceived to have links with Israel.
Jewish families allegedly targeted through threats and vandalism
According to the superseding indictment, the alleged conspiracy developed following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel.
Prosecutors claim that the defendants and other alleged co-conspirators planned to pressure the University of Michigan and several private-sector organisations into cutting their perceived connections with Israel.
The group allegedly used encrypted messaging applications, social media platforms and overseas collaboration tools to identify potential targets and coordinate their activities.
The alleged incidents included spray-painting threatening messages, breaking windows and throwing glass jars containing noxious chemicals into family homes.
Investigators also allege that properties belonging to victims were marked with symbols associated with Hamas, including red handprints and inverted red triangles, which prosecutors describe as symbols used by the militant group to identify targets for death.
Photographs of the alleged attacks were subsequently shared on social media alongside further threats and warnings. Prosecutors believe these posts were intended to intimidate the immediate victims and spread fear among other members of the community who support Israel.
Those allegedly targeted included the Jewish Federation of Detroit, two University of Michigan Regents, other university officials, a university police lieutenant, a student and two businesses perceived to have links with Israel.
Federal authorities warn against intimidation
Announcing the additional charges, Gorgon said the alleged attempts to terrorise Jewish communities and government officials would not go unanswered.
“These alleged attempts to terrorize our Jewish community and government officials are nothing new,” he said.
FBI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan also stressed that those involved in threats and intimidation would be held accountable.
“Those who believe they can threaten families, hide behind a group, and avoid accountability should think again. Justice will find you,” she said.
The investigation has involved several local, state and federal agencies, with authorities continuing to pursue the two newly charged defendants who remain at large.
The charges are allegations, and all 12 defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
