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LANSING ? Yesterday, George Hamas, 57, of Washington, Michigan, waived preliminary examination and was bound over to stand trial on felony charges for allegedly threatening multiple elected officials of Shiawassee County. ?
Hamas is alleged to have sent multiple messages to public officials in Shiawassee County threatening death and specific violent acts upon them, via both social media messages and telephone voicemails in June of 2022. He is charged with four counts of False Report or Threat of Terrorism and two counts of Use of a Computer to Commit a Crime. If convicted as charged, Hamas could be incarcerated for up to 20 years in prison.?
?Instances of violent threats and even death threats made to public officials are occurring at increasing and alarming rates,? said Nessel. ?The Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit in my department stands ready to prosecute these very serious crimes, but it is also crucial that local authorities take these threats seriously, as they did here. We will not stand by and watch this behavior become a normal expectation for public servants and elected officials.?? ?
George Hamas will next appear in the 35th Circuit Court in Shiawassee County on March 22nd.???
In 2019, Attorney General Nessel launched the Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit. To report dangerous threats made against public officials, please contact your local police department first and then the Department via email or at 313-456-0040.?
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Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.
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