Ex-Cornell University student sentenced to 21 months in prison for threatening to kill, rape Jews

A former Cornell University student was sentenced Monday to 21 months in federal prison for threatening to rape Jewish students and behead their babies in a case that became an alarming symbol of rising antisemitic hatred on U.S. college campuses.

Patrick Dai, 22, of Pittsford, N.Y., must also serve three years of supervised release after he finishes his prison term, the Justice Department said.

Officials said that Dai’s threats went beyond the free speech protections of the First Amendment and created a hostile environment for Jewish students. 

“Every student has the right to pursue their education without fear of violence based on who they are, how they look, where they are from or how they worship,” Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke said. “Antisemitic threats of violence, like the defendant’s vicious and graphic threats here, violate that right.”

Court records state Dai was arrested Oct. 31 and later pleaded guilty to posting threatening messages to the Cornell University section of an online discussion forum, including the statement: “Watch out pig jews. jihad is coming. nowhere is safe. your synagogue will become graveyards. your women will be raped and your children will be beheaded. glory to Allah.”

The statements were posted shortly after Hamas attacked Israel, killing more than 1,200 on Oct. 7 in that country‘s worst terrorist attack in history. 

FBI agents worked with local law enforcement to identify Dai and to bring him to justice. 

“Mr. Dai’s actions serve as a disturbing reminder of the terrifying hatred our Jewish communities encounter simply because of their beliefs,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli said Monday.