Farmington Hills man faces up to 20 years in prison for posting social media threat against Palestinian-Americans in Dearborn

DEARBORN (WWJ) -- A Farmington Hills man faces up to 20 years in prison on a felony charge after it's alleged that he posted a "terrorist threat" on social media, aimed at people in Dearborn.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's office on Monday announced the case against 41-year-old Carl David Mintz, in connection with a social media post that was made at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

The post proposed violence against Palestinian-Americans living in the City of Dearborn, according to Police Chief Issa Shahin, whose department investigated the post and arrested Mintz at his home last Thursday.

Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Mintz with one count of False Report or Threat of Terrorism, which is a 20-year felony. He's also facing one count of Malicious Use of Telecommunications Services, a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and $1,000 fine.

Police said they received an anonymous tip about the post that the chief called a "credible threat," but authorities have not released details about what the post allegedly said.

Worthy said, in a statement: "Threats against any person in Wayne County will not be tolerated and will be thoroughly investigated by the relevant police agency. These threats will be prosecuted by this office if, based on the investigation, it can be proven in court beyond a reasonable doubt. Wayne County is very diverse, and we take these threats very seriously."

Mintz was arraigned in 19th District Court on Saturday and given a $500,000 cash/surety bond.

If he is released on bond, Mintz is ordered to have no weapons and no internet access, and must wear a GPS tether.

He will be back in court for a Probable Cause Conference scheduled for Oct. 24 before Judge Mark Somers.

The incident happened just a few days following the Oct. 7 terror attack by Hamas that killed more than 1,400 Israelis in Israel. The Associated Press reported Monday that more than 2,300 Palestinians have died in the ensuing Israeli bombardment of Gaza. At least 30 U.S. citizens were also killed, according to the State Department.

While Shahin has said his investigators are not aware of any further credible threats, he has increased police patrols at all places of worship and across Dearborn in the interest of the public safety.

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