Indian-Origin Woman Among 12 Indicted In US Over Alleged Conspiracy Targeting Jewish Groups

Last Updated:November 02, 2026, 10:46 PM IST

The investigation is related to an alleged conspiracy to pressure the University of Michigan and private organisations into severing connections with Israel.

Photo of red handprints obtained from defendant’s phone. (Image: US Attorney’s Office)

A 23-year-old Indian-origin woman has been named among four additional defendants in a federal investigation into alleged threats, vandalism and intimidation directed at Jewish organisations, University of Michigan officials and businesses believed to have links with Israel. The woman has been identified as Srishti Tarana Sharma.

US Attorney Jerome F Gorgon Jr announced the latest charges, taking the total number of defendants in the case to 12. The other accused are Henry David MacKeen-Shapiro, 23, Aaron Hunter Vonbargen, 25, and Joseph Mark Fisher, 23, TOI reported.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, MacKeen-Shapiro and Vonbargen were arrested last week and are expected to appear in court for initial proceedings. Sharma and Fisher remain at large.

The investigation concerns an alleged conspiracy to pressure the University of Michigan and private organisations into severing connections with Israel following the October 2023 Hamas attacks.

According to the superseding indictment, the accused allegedly coordinated their activities through encrypted messaging applications, social media and overseas collaboration platforms. The alleged acts included spray-painting threats, breaking windows and throwing glass containers filled with noxious chemicals into residential properties.

Investigators also accused the group of marking homes and workplaces with symbols associated with Hamas, including red handprints and inverted red triangles. Photographs of the incidents were allegedly circulated online alongside threats intended to intimidate victims and others supporting Israel.

The alleged targets included the Jewish Federation of Detroit, two University of Michigan regents, university officials, a police lieutenant, a student and two businesses.

Reacting to the charges, Gorgon said the alleged intimidation was part of a broader pattern targeting Jewish communities and public officials.

“These alleged attempts to terrorize our Jewish community and government officials are nothing new,” he said.

FBI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan said multiple law enforcement agencies had contributed to the investigation.

“Those who believe they can threaten families, hide behind a group, and avoid accountability should think again. Justice will find you,” Runyan said.

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Who is the Indian-origin woman indicted in the US conspiracy case?

A 23-year-old Indian-origin woman named Srishti Tarana Sharma has been named among four additional defendants in a federal investigation.

What actions were the 12 defendants accused of taking in the federal indictment?

The accused allegedly spray-painted threats, broke windows, threw glass containers filled with noxious chemicals into residential properties, and marked homes with Hamas-associated symbols.

What was the alleged motive behind the conspiracy targeting Jewish groups and the University of Michigan?

The conspiracy allegedly aimed to pressure the University of Michigan and private organisations into severing their connections with Israel following the October 2023 Hamas attacks.

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Manisha RoySenior Sub-Editor

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers politics and a wide range of hard news, with a keen interest in national and international d…Read More

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