Eight University of Michigan-affiliated activists were indicted Wednesday in Detroit federal court on conspiracy charges for allegedly orchestrating a months-long campaign of vandalism, threats, and intimidation against university leaders, Jewish organizations, and pro-Israel supporters—actions prosecutors say were designed to force the school to cut ties with Israel.
Federal prosecutors unsealed a 63-page indictment Wednesday, June 10, 2026, accusing the eight defendants—seven of whom were arrested—of using encrypted messaging apps to coordinate attacks that included spray-painting homes with Hamas-linked symbols, breaking windows, and throwing noxious chemicals into residences while children were inside. The campaign, which targeted University of Michigan regents, executives, and Jewish Federation properties, unfolded between October 2023 and April 2025, according to The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press.
The indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, names U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon as the lead prosecutor. According to court documents, the FBI began investigating the group in late 2024 after multiple reports of vandalism and threats were filed with the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor. The investigation expanded after encrypted communications between the defendants were intercepted, revealing detailed plans for coordinated attacks.
Detroit Police Chief James Craig confirmed in a press briefing that his department had been monitoring the group’s activities since early 2025, though no arrests were made until the federal indictment. “This was not just random vandalism,” Craig stated. “It was a calculated campaign of intimidation, and we knew it had to be handled at the federal level.”
University of Michigan President Santa Ono, who was a target of the campaign, issued a statement through the university’s Office of Communications: “The safety of our community is paramount. While we respect the right to peaceful protest, the actions described in this indictment cross a dangerous line. We will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure accountability and protect our members.”
Who Was Indicted and What Are the Charges?
The indictment names eight individuals—Zainab Aliasgar Hakim (24, a graduate student in the School of Public Health), Amatullah Aliasgar Hakim (22, an undergraduate in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts), Paige Elizabeth Feyock (23, a research assistant in the Department of Political Science), Ahmetkerem Korkaya (25, a teaching assistant in the College of Engineering), Jonathan Hongru Zou (26, a postdoctoral researcher in the Medical School), Alexander Matthew Sepulveda (27, a former student worker in the Office of the Provost), Mariam Muhammed Odeh (21, an undergraduate in the School of Social Work), and Colin Hunter Weger (24, a graduate student in the Law School)—as part of a conspiracy to “transmit threats” and engage in “autonomous actions” against their targets, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Most were connected to the university as students or employees, and prosecutors allege they used encrypted apps—including Signal and Telegram—to plan their attacks while evading law enforcement surveillance. Court documents reveal that the group maintained multiple accounts under false names to obscure their identities. According to the indictment, the defendants discussed their targets in coded language, referring to them as “Zionist collaborators” and “settler supporters.”
The charges stem from a broader pattern of pro-Palestinian activism that escalated into what federal officials describe as a coordinated effort to intimidate university leaders and Jewish organizations. The indictment details how the group identified targets—including University of Michigan President Santa Ono (at the time), the provost, regents, and businesses linked to Israel—and plotted vandalism campaigns using Google Maps to locate homes and businesses. According to the Detroit News, the defendants allegedly marked their victims with Hamas-associated symbols, such as red inverted triangles and handprints, and broadcast their actions on social media to amplify fear.
Additional court filings obtained by the MLive media group reveal that the group also targeted the homes of Michigan State University regents and executives, though no charges have been filed in that state. The indictment specifically mentions an incident in February 2025 where the defendants spray-painted the home of Regent Mary Sue Coleman with the phrase “Free Palestine” and a Hamas flag, followed by a phone call to Coleman’s residence threatening further action if the university did not divest from Israeli-linked companies.
Court records show that the group maintained a shared document titled “UM Divestment Campaign,” which included a list of 47 targets—32 of whom were University of Michigan regents or executives, 10 were Jewish Federation officials, and five were pro-Israel student organizations. The document also contained instructions for “nonviolent direct action,” including guidelines for evading surveillance and documenting attacks for social media.
The Tactics: How Far Did the Campaign Go?
The indictment paints a chilling picture of the group’s methods. Beyond spray-painting homes with slogans like “Intifada” and “Free Palestine,” prosecutors say the defendants broke windows, left threatening notes, and—most alarmingly—threw glass jars filled with noxious chemicals into residences while children were asleep inside.
“The subjects allegedly vandalized the victims’ property, spray painted their homes with messages like ‘Intifada’ and ‘Free Palestine,’ left threatening notes on their doors, and even broke windows of the victims’ homes—throwing glass jars filled with chemicals while children slept inside.”
A police report filed with the Ann Arbor Police Department in March 2025 details an incident where a family reported finding a jar of ammonia-based cleaner outside their front door. The mother, whose child was asleep upstairs, stated that the jar had been placed deliberately near the door to maximize the risk of inhalation. The report notes that the family identified the attackers as wearing keffiyehs and shouting slogans as they fled.
Prosecutors also allege the group performed surveillance on their targets while monitoring law enforcement activity to avoid detection. The Detroit News reports that encrypted chats revealed defendants discussing how to “terrorize” specific individuals, including university leadership and Jewish Federation representatives. One intercepted message, attributed to Jonathan Zou, read: “We need to make sure these people feel unsafe in their own homes. That’s the only way they’ll listen.”
According to court documents, the group also coordinated with external activists, including members of the Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) and the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). While the indictment does not name additional conspirators, it references a December 2024 MSA resolution calling for divestment, which the defendants used to justify their actions. The resolution was later withdrawn after backlash from the university administration.
Detroit Free Press investigations found that the group had also targeted the homes of donors to the University of Michigan, including alumni who had contributed to pro-Israel initiatives. One donor, who requested anonymity, told reporters that he and his family had received multiple threats after their names were published in a university fundraising newsletter. “We were told to expect ‘consequences’ if we didn’t stop supporting the university,” the donor said.
Context: Why This Case Stands Out
This indictment marks the latest escalation in a years-long conflict between pro-Palestinian activists and University of Michigan officials over the school’s investments in Israeli-linked companies. Since October 2023, UM regents and executives have faced repeated protests, vandalism, and threats demanding the university divest from entities tied to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The university has consistently rejected these demands, citing policy constraints and the minimal financial impact of the targeted investments.
According to a 2024 report from the university’s Office of the General Counsel, UM’s investments in Israeli-linked companies totaled approximately $12 million—less than 0.1% of the university’s endowment. The report noted that divestment would require approval from the Board of Regents and could violate federal laws governing university investments. Despite this, activists have continued to pressure the university, arguing that moral considerations outweigh financial concerns.
Yet the federal charges elevate the dispute from a campus protest to a criminal conspiracy. U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon framed the case as a direct challenge to American values, stating in a press release:
“In America, we rule by law, not by fear. These alleged threats and attempts to terrorize government officials, businesses, and the Jewish Federation are anti-American. We will counter intimidation with justice.”
The indictment comes amid a broader crackdown on campus activism, following waves of arrests—including those of Chinese scholars accused of smuggling biological materials—and heightened scrutiny of pro-Palestinian groups nationwide. The Detroit Free Press notes that the defendants’ actions align with a pattern of “autonomous” protests that have spread across universities, where activists operate with minimal coordination but shared ideological goals.
Legal experts, including University of Michigan Law School professor David Cole, have drawn parallels to the 1960s civil rights movement, where activists used direct action to challenge institutional power. However, Cole noted in an interview with MLive that the current case differs significantly in its use of intimidation and threats. “The civil rights movement sought to expose injustice through nonviolent protest,” Cole said. “What we’re seeing here is a deliberate campaign to create fear and disrupt the lives of individuals who hold opposing views.”
The case also intersects with a May 2025 lawsuit filed by eight former UM employees who accused the university of violating their First Amendment rights by suppressing their protests. The amended complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, alleged that university officials conspired to discourage them from filing the lawsuit by threatening their employment. The lawsuit is currently pending, with a hearing scheduled for August 2026.
Additionally, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has classified the attacks as part of a broader rise in antisemitic incidents tied to the Israel-Hamas war. According to ADL’s 2025 Hate and Extremism Report, antisemitic incidents in Michigan increased by 42% in 2024, with universities becoming primary targets. The report cited the University of Michigan as a hotspot for such activity, with 17 incidents reported between January and December 2024.
Reactions: Protests Outside the Courthouse and Legal Pushback
As the indictment was unsealed, pro-Palestinian advocates gathered outside the Detroit federal courthouse, some wearing keffiyehs and face masks. James Johnson, a 29-year-old former member of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) union at UM, told the Detroit Free Press:
“I’m sick of the repression of antiwar voices. I’m sick of the black bagging of political protesters by our government. They’re throwing the book at them.”
Johnson, who did not know the defendants personally, argued that the vandalism—while serious—paled in comparison to the destruction in Gaza. His comments reflect a broader tension: while some see the indictment as a necessary legal response to intimidation, others view it as an overreach targeting legitimate political dissent.
Meanwhile, Jewish community leaders condemned the attacks as part of a coordinated effort to silence opposition. David Bernstein, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, issued a statement: “These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a deliberate campaign to intimidate and terrorize those who support Israel and oppose the violence of Hamas. We stand with our allies in Ann Arbor and demand justice for these victims.”
Legal analysts have noted that the case could set a precedent for how universities handle activism that crosses into criminal territory. “This is not just about free speech,” said Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz in a statement to The Hill. “It’s about whether we allow intimidation and threats to dictate public policy. If we don’t hold these actions accountable, we risk normalizing violence as a tool for political change.”
The case also comes as the University of Michigan faces scrutiny over its handling of campus security. In a letter to the Board of Regents obtained by the MLive, UM Police Chief Michael Cotter criticized the university’s response to early warnings about the group’s activities. “We had intelligence indicating these individuals were planning coordinated attacks as early as June 2024,” Cotter wrote. “However, without federal authority, our hands were tied in terms of proactive intervention.”
What Happens Next? The Legal and Campus Implications
The eight defendants are scheduled to be arraigned in federal court Wednesday afternoon. If convicted, they face potential prison time under conspiracy and threats statutes, with sentences ranging from five to 20 years depending on the severity of the charges. Prosecutors are expected to seek enhanced penalties due to the use of threats against government officials and the involvement of minors in the targeted attacks.
For the University of Michigan, the indictment forces a reckoning with how it balances free speech, security, and its role in national debates over Israel and Palestine. The school has already implemented 24-hour security for regents and executives, and the Detroit News reports that UM police were present during the FBI’s arrests. Meanwhile, Jewish organizations in the region have condemned the attacks, framing them as part of a broader rise in antisemitic incidents tied to the Israel-Hamas war.
On campus, the indictment could further polarize an already divided community. While some students and faculty may see the defendants as extremists, others may view them as symbols of resistance against perceived government overreach. The Free Press notes that the case raises questions about how universities will handle activism that crosses the line from protest into criminal activity—a question with no easy answers.
Legal experts predict that the case could lead to broader changes in how universities monitor and respond to activist campaigns. “This indictment sends a clear message that intimidation will not be tolerated,” said ACLU of Michigan legal director Mark Fancher. “However, it also raises concerns about over-policing of political speech. The line between protest and criminal conspiracy is a fine one, and courts will need to carefully weigh these factors.”
What is clear is that this indictment is not just about eight individuals. It is a flashpoint in a national conversation about the limits of protest, the role of universities in political conflicts, and whether intimidation—even if motivated by ideology—will be met with the full force of the law.
The next 30 days will test whether the case holds together in court, whether the defendants’ actions are seen as terrorism or free speech, and whether the University of Michigan can navigate this storm without further escalation. One thing is certain: the battle over Israel, Palestine, and the boundaries of acceptable protest has arrived on the federal docket—and the verdict may reshape campus activism for years to come.
The federal charges now face intense scrutiny from lawmakers and advocacy groups, forcing UM officials to re-examine their policies and consider the broader implications of their actions. Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat who has previously supported divestment discussions, issued a statement calling for a “thorough review” of the university’s security protocols. “While I believe in the right to peaceful protest, these allegations are deeply disturbing,” Stabenow said. “I will be closely monitoring this case and working with local officials to ensure justice is served.”
Meanwhile, the University of Michigan’s Board of Regents is expected to hold an emergency meeting next week to discuss the indictment and its potential impact on campus safety. Regent Mary Sue Coleman, who was targeted in the campaign, told reporters that she would not be deterred from her duties. “I will continue to serve the university and stand up for what I believe in,” Coleman said. “But I also want to assure our community that we are taking these threats seriously and working with law enforcement to address them.”
