Michail Chkhikvishvili, a Georgian national also known as “Commander Butcher,” was sentenced on May 13 to 15 years in prison by United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon in Brooklyn federal court. Chkhikvishvili led the Maniac Murder Cult, an international racially motivated violent extremist group, and was convicted of soliciting hate crimes and distributing instructions for making bombs and ricin.
Authorities said Chkhikvishvili recruited others to commit violent acts supporting the group’s ideologies, including planning a mass casualty attack in New York City. He was extradited from Moldova to the Eastern District of New York in May 2025 and pleaded guilty later that year.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. said, “The defendant is a hate-mongering menace who intended to hurt and kill children in the Jewish community and in other minority communities in New York City. Thanks to our incredible law enforcement partners, he did not succeed and will now face justice for his cowardly acts. Today’s sentence sends a strong message to hateful extremists, wherever you are, who seek to spread fear through unspeakable violence: we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.” Nocella praised the work of multiple agencies involved with Chkhikvishvili’s arrest and extradition.
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg said, “Chkhikvishvili, a leader of the ‘Maniacs Murder Cult,’ repeatedly called for the murder of innocent civilians, including children, and schemed to attack and terrorize Jewish communities and racial minorities in the United States. Chkhikvishvili, for example, tried to recruit a supposed associate to dress up as Santa Claus and pass out poisoned candy to minority children. Today’s sentence takes a monster off our streets and protects our communities at least for a time.” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon added that those who plan or encourage such violence “will not find refuge in the dark corners of the Internet” but will be pursued by law enforcement.
According to officials involved with his prosecution—including FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle Jr., NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch—Chkhikvishvili promoted Neo-Nazi ideology targeting racial minorities and Jews through manifestos like “Hater’s Handbook.” He used online platforms such as Telegram beginning July 2022 to encourage others—sometimes undercover agents—to carry out attacks including bombings or poisonings targeting Jewish schools or children.
Chkhikvishvili has been linked by authorities with inspiring violent attacks internationally: In January 2025 at Antioch High School (Nashville), an attacker cited him before killing one person; another attack outside a mosque in Turkey referenced his manifesto.
The case was handled by prosecutors from several sections within federal agencies supported by local investigators.
