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U.S. vs. Patrick Dai (23-MJ-00632 / 2023R00902)

Important Case Update August 14, 2024:

Patrick Dai was sentenced to 21-months imprisonment for posting threats to kill or injure another person using interstate communications. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James, and Cornell University Police Chief Anthony Bellamy.

Patrick Dai was also sentenced to a three-year term of post-incarceration supervised release to include no contact with Cornell University, mental health treatment, as well as restrictions and monitoring of his electronic devices and internet use.

"Every student has the right to pursue their education without fear of violence based on who they are, how they look, where they are from or how they worship," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. "Antisemitic threats of violence, like the defendant’s vicious and graphic threats here, violate that right. Today’s sentencing reaffirms that we will hold accountable those who violently threaten and intimidate others based on their religious practice or background. The Justice Department will continue to protect all Americans against bias-motivated crimes wherever they occur, including college campuses."

"Today former Cornell University student Patrick Dai was sentenced to serve 21 months in prison for posting anonymous threats to kill Jewish students," said United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman. "Before imposing sentence, the court found that this was a hate crime under the federal Sentencing Guidelines because Dai targeted Jewish students and substantially disrupted the university’s core function of educating its students. The defendant’s threats terrorized the Cornell campus community for days and shattered the community’s sense of safety.  My office will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute threats and acts of violence motivated by antisemitism and by hatred of any kind."

"Mr. Dai’s actions serve as a disturbing reminder of the terrifying hatred our Jewish communities encounter simply because of their beliefs," said Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli of the FBI Albany Field Office. "Thanks to the strong partnerships between our Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the New York State Police, and the Cornell University Police Department, Dai was quickly identified, charged, and has remained in custody since that hateful day in October 2023. This sentence should serve as a reminder that the FBI will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to investigate any individual who perpetuates hate crimes to ensure our college campuses and communities at large remain free of hateful individuals who threaten the safety of Americans."

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, "No person should fear being attacked for who they are or what they believe. The sentencing of Mr. Dai is a reminder that there is zero tolerance for any individual that perpetuates hate crimes within our communities. I thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and our partners in law enforcement for their shared commitment to intercepting these crimes."

Cornell University Police Chief Anthony G. Bellamy said, "The Cornell University Police Department is dedicated to the safety and security of our community. We appreciate the close collaboration of the U.S. Attorney Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and New York law enforcement partners investigating this case and making a timely arrest. This sentencing affirms that threats against our community will not be tolerated."

On 4/10/24, Patrick Dai entered a plea of guilty in federal court, admitting that on October 28 and 29, 2023, he posted threatening messages to the Cornell section of an online discussion forum.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 12, 2024 in Syracuse federal court. Dai faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, restitution to victims and a maximum of three years of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

If you feel that you have experienced physical, emotional, psychological, and/or financial harm as a result of Dai’s federal crime, you may be entitled to the following crime victims’ rights:

  1. to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the federal district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding;
  2. to full and timely restitution as provided by law;

Members of the community are welcome to contact U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Coordinator, Ivy Schoff, by clicking the “Contact Us” box below.

Patrick Dai, age 21, a junior at Cornell University who is originally from Pittsford, New York, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications. The complaint, publicly filed in Syracuse, alleges that Dai posted threatening messages to the Cornell section of an online discussion site, including posts calling for violence against Jewish students. The charge filed against Dai carries a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Victims of federal crimes who have been directly and proximately harmed are entitled to certain access, information, and services under federal law (the Crime Victims’ Rights Act (“CVRA”), Title 18, United States Code, §3771). The CVRA sets forth rights of those who have experienced physical, emotional, psychological, and/or financial harm as a result of a federal crime.
Under the CVRA, a victim of a federal crime has the following rights:

  1. to be reasonably protected from the accused;
  2. to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding involving the crime, or of any release or escape of the accused;
  3. to not be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding;
  4. to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the federal district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding;
  5. to confer with the attorney(s) for the government in the case;
  6. to full and timely restitution as provided by law;
  7. to proceedings free from unreasonable delay;
  8. to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim’s dignity and privacy;
  9. to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement; and
  10. to be informed of the rights under this section and the services described in section 503(c) of the Victims’ Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. § 10607(c)), and provided contact information for the Office of Victims’ Rights.

Patrick Dai is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and will continue to be detained pending trial, or on further order of the court.

If you feel that you have been harmed by the alleged federal crimes committed by Patrick Dai, you may be entitled to the above rights. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York has a Victim Witness Unit that is available to provide additional information, answer questions, offer support, and connect you with services to help you heal.

Members of the community are welcome to contact U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Coordinator Ivy Schoff at:

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Updated August 14, 2024