Man Charged for Interstate Threats and Cyberstalking

CAMDEN, N.J. - A man with ties to New Jersey, Georgia, Malaysia, Morocco, and Albania was charged with threatening to kill and injure victims in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Jarvis Shabazz, 37, who most recently was living in Albania, was charged in an indictment with eight counts of interstate threats and two counts of cyberstalking. He made his initial appearance and was arraigned today in Camden federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King.

According to the Indictment and statements made in court:

On October 10, 2022, Shabazz left a graphic voicemail for a victim, threatening to kill that victim and stating that Shabazz would soon be "dismembering bodies and carving human f***ing flesh." Approximately a week later, Shabazz left another threatening voicemail for the same victim, stating, "there is not a white paramilitary organization on planet Earth that is going to prevent me from taking your life. I want you to understand me well. You will die at my hands. White people cannot protect you. And your children will suffer the same fate. Inshallah mother f***er."

For the next fifteen months, Shabazz continued to send additional death threats and harassing communications to this same victim, as well as to another victim. Shabazz made his threats in voicemails and text messages. He frequently changed his phone number, so that he could continue making threats to the victims even after they had blocked his number. Shabazz's threats were filled with violent imagery, religious references, racial epithets, and obscenity.

Each of the counts of interstate threats, and each of the counts of cyberstalking, carries a maximum penalty of up to 5 years in prison, for a total potential maximum penalty of up to 50 years in prison. Each of the charged counts also carries a maximum fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross loss to the victim or gain to the defendant, whichever is greatest. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment against Shabazz are merely accusations, and Shabazz is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Philadelphia Field Office and South Jersey Resident Agency Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs, with the investigation leading to these charges. He also thanked the West Deptford Police Department Office, under the direction of Chief John Craig, for their valuable assistance in the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Richardson and Sara Aliabadi of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Camden.

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