Former Cornell student pleads guilty for making threats to kill and rape Jews

FILE - A woman walks by a Cornell University sign on the Ivy League school's campus in Ithaca, New York, on Jan. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
FILE - A woman walks by a Cornell University sign on the Ivy League school's campus in Ithaca, New York, on Jan. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

WASHINGTON — A former Cornell University student has pleaded guilty to posting online threats, including of death and violence, against Jewish students on campus, the US Justice Department says.

Patrick Dai, 21, was charged late last year for making online threats against Jewish students at the Ivy League school in Ithaca, New York.

As part of his guilty plea, Dai admits that on October 28 and October 29, he threatened to bomb, stab and rape Jews on the Cornell section of an online discussion forum.

The Justice Department says Dai’s threats “caused widespread panic and fear” in Cornell’s Jewish community.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August. 12. Dai faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, restitution to victims and a maximum of three years of supervised release, according to the Justice Department. A contact for Dai cannot immediately be reached.

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