Cornell student who allegedly made threats against Jewish center faces federal criminal charges

A Cornell University student who allegedly made threats against the school's Jewish community and the Cornell Center for Jewish Living faces federal charges.

Patrick Dai, 21, has been charged with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications, the Department of Justice confirmed on Tuesday. The charges follow an investigation from the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Dai is being questioned by law enforcement. He faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release, if convicted.

"We remain shocked by and condemn these horrific, antisemitic threats and believe they should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Cornell Vice President for University Relations Joel M. Malina told Fox News. "We know that our campus community will continue to support one another in the days ahead. Cornell Police will maintain its heightened security presence on campus as the university continues to focus on supporting the needs of our students, faculty and staff."

The university advised students to keep their distance from the Jewish center on Monday following the posts appearing online.

Using the pseudonym "jew jenocide," the poster stated that "the jewish house on cornell is yet another literal and symbolic form of apartheid and genocide on campus... in my opinion it should be torn down and the illegal settlers relocated." The poster further threatened to "shoot up 104 west," a building that houses a kosher dining hall.

The messages appeared on Greekrank, a digital forum that largely caters to fraternity and sorority-related discussion.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.