NYC Employee of ACS Sentenced for Providing Weapon for Potential Antisemitic Attack

By Hamodia Staff

The United States Department of Justice announced the sentencing of a New York City employee, Jamil Hakime, to 27 months in prison for conspiring to transport a firearm interstate to two men who had planned to use the weapon to violently attack a synagogue in New York City.

Jamil Hakime, 59, of New York City, who was employed by New York City’s Administration for Children Services (ACS) and worked with youth, sold a gun and 19 rounds of ammunition on November 18, 2022, to Christopher Brown and Matthew Mahrer.

Brown had posted on Twitter on November 18, 2022 that he intended to “shoot up a synagogue,” emphasizing, “This time I’m really gonna do it,” and together with Mahrer contacted Hakime to obtain a firearm. After arriving at Hakime’s Pennsylvania home and paying $650, they received the gun, which had an extended magazine allowing it to hold up to 30 rounds of ammunition, and 19 rounds of ammunition, a weapon-mounted light and red dot optic device that allowed the user to have better aim at his target.

They then drove back to Manhattan and hid the items in Mahrer’s bedroom, and then traveled together to Penn Station where they were arrested by law enforcement. At the time of those arrests, Brown was carrying a large hunting knife and a Swastika arm band.

Hakime pled guilty on March 14, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres, who imposed today’s sentence on February 6, 2024. In addition to his prison term, Hakime was sentenced to three years of supervised release. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said that “a monumental tragedy on New York’s Jewish community and could have devastated the lives of many people who were targeted solely for their religious beliefs and their desire to worship.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith related that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York became aware of the plot, and along with police “were able to disrupt their plans before they could do any harm.”

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban explained how by closely partnering with our state and federal colleagues, the city “likely averted tragedy.”