Michael Ron David Kadar, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, was arraigned today in Orlando on federal charges including hate crimes and obstruction of the free exercise of religion, stemming from alleged threats made against Jewish institutions across Florida. The 27-year-old was extradited from Norway and faces additional charges in Washington, D.C., and Georgia.
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida emphasized the severity of the alleged crimes, stating, "Targeting individuals, groups, or institutions for their religious beliefs is contradictory to the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and against the law." He added that the alleged crimes "caused undue trepidation and threats of harm to the Jewish community in our district and will not be tolerated."
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division highlighted the impact, saying, "The alleged crimes stand out for their cruelty and for the harm they caused to the Jewish community." Duva noted that exploiting technology to terrorize houses of worship and community centers is "an attack on religious liberty and public safety."
The indictment from the Middle District of Florida details that in early 2017, Kadar allegedly made multiple calls relaying bomb and active shooter threats to numerous Jewish Community Centers, including preschool programs. These threats often led to temporary closures, evacuations, or lockdowns, requiring law enforcement responses, though no actual explosives were found.
Kadar's extradition from Norway on June 18 followed his detention there at the request of the United States, after he had served a sentence in Israel for related conduct. The hate crime charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, while bomb threat charges carry up to 10 years, and interstate threats up to five years. If convicted, Kadar could also face court-ordered restitution.