A former Cornell University student has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison for making threats to kill members of the university's Jewish community. The former student, identified as Patrick Dai, received a 21-month prison term followed by three years of supervised release.
Dai was arrested in October after posting antisemitic threats in an online forum while he was a junior at the Ivy League school. He pleaded guilty to making threats using interstate communication and admitted to threatening to harm Jewish individuals and targeting Cornell's kosher dining hall.
Following Dai's threats, Cornell University police increased patrols and security measures for Jewish students and organizations on campus. The New York State Police also heightened security presence at the university in response to the incident.
The threats occurred during a period of heightened antisemitic incidents amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Reports indicated a significant increase in antisemitic acts in the United States during that time, prompting concerns from law enforcement and government officials.
Dai's defense team argued that his actions were a misguided attempt to support Israel and counter what he perceived as anti-Israel sentiment on campus. They cited Dai's mental health struggles, including a depressive disorder and recent autism diagnosis, as contributing factors to his behavior.
Prosecutors acknowledged Dai's mental health challenges but emphasized that such issues do not justify terrorizing others. They expressed skepticism about Dai's motives and highlighted the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of personal struggles.
The sentencing of Patrick Dai serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of making threats and the need to address mental health issues in a responsible and constructive manner.
