Mississippi man pleads guilty to making antisemitic calls to Pennsylvania Jewish businesses, synagogues

Published 7:16 am Wednesday, June 19, 2024

A Mississippi man admitted in court that he made harassing and antisemitic phone calls to synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses in Pennsylvania in 2022.

Donavan Parish, 29, of Hattiesburg, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of cyberstalking and five counts of abuse and harassment using a telecommunications device.

From April to May 2022, Parish reportedly called Pennsylvania synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses using an internet-based service.

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Parish faces a maximum of 15 years imprisonment, according to authorities, and three years of supervised release.

“Cyberstalking is already a serious violation and targeting victims based on their religion is a hate crime, which makes it that much more abhorrent,” U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero said. “We and our partners will continue to work to hold accountable anyone who criminally misuses today’s technology to spread hate and fear.”