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Maryland Man Pleads Guilty in Multistate Threats to Jewish Institutions

Sentencing is set for March 16, 2026 following an investigation tracing more than 40 mailed threats across multiple states.

Overview

  • Clift Seferlis, 55, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of mailing threatening communications and eight counts of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs before U.S. District Judge Mark A. Kearney.
  • From March 2024 through June 2025, he admitted sending at least 40 letters and two postcards to more than 25 Jewish organizations across Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Massachusetts.
  • Many communications threatened to destroy buildings or injure people, and several referenced a dangerous weapon, fire, or explosives.
  • Targets included synagogues, museums, community centers, schools, nonprofits, and a Jewish delicatessen, with prosecutors stating the threats aimed to impede worship.
  • He faces a statutory maximum of 169 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $5.65 million fine, and authorities credited the FBI, Postal Inspection Service, local police, and Jewish security partners for assistance.