From the U.S. Attorney:
Georgia Man Charged With Sending Threatening Letter to Spiritual Mission in Suburban Chicago
CHICAGO — A Georgia man has been charged with sending a threatening letter to a spiritual mission in suburban Chicago.
A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges JIMIL PARMAR, 33, of Lawrenceville, Ga., with one count of mailing a threatening communication.
Parmar was arrested last week in the Northern District of Georgia. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 2, 2025, in U.S. District Court in Atlanta.
According to the complaint, Parmar mailed a letter in July 2023 to the Sant Nirankari Mission in West Chicago, Ill. The letter stated, “CANCEL US CANADA TOUR IMMIDIATELY [sic] SRS ATTACK PLANNED,” the complaint states.
The threat coincided with a visit by the Mission’s spiritual leader, Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj, who was touring the United States and Canada that summer and had appearances scheduled in the Chicago and Atlanta areas.
At least four other Sant Nirankari Missions in the United States that month received what appeared to be identical letters, the complaint states. The federal investigation is being led by the FBI and remains active.
The complaint and arrest were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Valuable assistance was provided by the Atlanta Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kavitha J. Babu.
“When a threat of mass violence occurs, our Office will find, arrest, and prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “This case demonstrates our Office’s commitment to hold accountable those who seek to intimidate and instill fear in members of our community.”
“The subject’s alleged actions serve as a disturbing reminder of the hatred that many marginalized people encounter simply because of their beliefs,” said FBI SAC DePodesta. “We extend our appreciation to the FBI Atlanta Field Office and all of our dedicated law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to apprehend those who dare to threaten the safety of our communities.”
The charge in the complaint is punishable by up to five years in federal prison. The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
