Man pleads guilty to threatening Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — A man accused of threatening a Jewish organization in Charlotte pleaded guilty to one of his charges this month, court documents show.

In October, the FBI said Jeffrey Scott Hobgood sent two emails to the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte the week after Hamas attacked Israel.

The racist and antisemitic emails threatened to “annihilate” Jewish people and called for their “public execution.” One was sent on Oct. 11 and the other on Oct. 13.

The FBI determined the threats weren’t credible.

Hobgood was arrested in his hometown of Troy, which is about an hour and a half drive from Charlotte.

Federal court documents show Hobgood pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting interstate threats. That charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Jewish Federation sent the following statement to Channel 9 in response to the plea:

“In the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians on October 7, the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte received antisemitic emails containing threats to annihilate the Jewish people and calling for the public execution of Jews on October 11 and 13.

“Given the alarming rise in antisemitism since October 7, the news of this guilty plea is a step in the right direction in the pursuit of justice and safety.

“We thank the Shalom Park security team, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and the FBI, all of whom were very responsive to the antisemitic threats after we received them. Additionally, we also thank the prosecutors that brought this case to its conclusion.

“The Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte continues to work with local elected officials and leaders to improve the security of Jews, to ensure that the voice of our Jewish community is heard, and to serve as a resource to victims of antisemitism.”

(WATCH BELOW: Warrant: Man called in threat to SC school before pipe bombs found at apartment)

Warrant: Man called in threat to SC school before pipe bombs found at apartment

©2023 Cox Media Group