Earlier today in Brooklyn federal court, Michail Chkhikvishvili, a Georgian national and leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, pleaded guilty to soliciting hate crimes and distributing instructions for making bombs and ricin. The Maniac Murder Cult is described as an international racially motivated violent extremist group. Chkhikvishvili recruited individuals to commit violent acts in support of the group’s ideology, 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.
The announcement was made by Attorney General Pamela Bondi; Joseph Nocella, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s New York Field Office; and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the NYPD.
Attorney General Bondi stated: “The outstanding investigative work in this case saved untold lives and underscores the crucial behind-the-scenes activity of our federal law enforcement agents. Violent, nihilistic, racist groups like these are an ongoing threat to the American people – our vigilance will not waver as we protect our citizens.”
United States Attorney Nocella said: “The defendant has admitted his vile actions, including recruiting others to commit acts of violence against Jewish and racial minority children. His incitement of hate crimes resulted in real-world violence. This prosecution shows that our Office will protect all communities from evildoers like the defendant from wherever they spew their hate.”
Nocella also commended multiple agencies for their role in securing Chkhikvishvili’s arrest and extradition, highlighting collaboration among federal, state, local agencies, and international partners such as Moldova.
Assistant Attorney General Eisenberg commented: “Chkhikvishvili’s monstrous plots and propaganda calling for racially motivated violence against civilians, including children, posed a grave threat to public safety. Unfortunately, his efforts on behalf of the aptly named Maniac Murder Cult in fact caused mayhem and death. We condemn his despicable ideology and will use every tool at our disposal to bring such predators to justice.”
FBI Assistant Director Raia stated: “Michail Chkhikvishvili actively encouraged his recruits of his Maniac Murder Cult to incite mass violence targeted at Jewish individuals and other minorities, including orders to bomb Jewish facilities and poison Jewish children. His vile propensity for discriminatory violence sparked actual attacks and casualties not only in this country, but across the globe. The FBI and its Joint Terrorism Task Force will not tolerate anyone to solicit unnecessary death and harm out of prejudice and hate.”
NYPD Commissioner Tisch added: “Michail Chkhikvishvili plotted extensive terrorist attacks targeting Jewish New Yorkers, including horrific plans to poison children. This wasn’t just violent behavior — it was extreme antisemitism rooted in Neo-Nazi ideology that put communities here and around the world at risk. All New Yorkers deserve a city where they can live free from fear, regardless of their religious identity, and this guilty plea makes one thing clear: The NYPD will never tolerate hate or bias-fueled violence in any form. I am grateful to the NYPD investigators, the FBI, the Justice Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for bringing Michail Chkhikvishvili to justice.”
Court documents indicate that Chkhikvishvili traveled to Brooklyn in June 2022 before encouraging others via Telegram beginning July 2022 to commit violent hate crimes on behalf of Maniac Murder Cult. He solicited acts of mass violence from an individual who turned out to be an undercover FBI employee.
Since September 2021 he distributed a manifesto called “Hater’s Handbook” which promoted mass violence such as school shootings.
In November 2023 he began planning a mass casualty attack intended for New Year’s Eve involving poisoned candy distributed by someone dressed as Santa Claus targeting racial minorities; later iterations focused specifically on poisoning Jewish schools and children using detailed manuals about lethal substances like ricin.
Chkhikvishvili’s actions have been linked with real-world attacks:
– In January 2025 at Antioch High School (Nashville), a student killed one person before dying by suicide after claiming affiliation with Maniac Murder Cult.
– In August 2024 outside a mosque in Eskisehir (Turkey), an attacker stabbed several people while referencing both Chkhikvishvili personally and his manifesto.
Chkhikvishvili faces up to 40 years’ imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ellen H. Sise and Andrew D. Reich with assistance from Trial Attorney Justin Sher (National Security Division) as well as Paralegal Specialists Wayne Colon and Rebecca Roth.
The defendant:
MICHAIL CHKHIKVISHVILI (also known as “Mishka,” “Michael,” “Commander Butcher”)
Age: 22
Tbilisi, Georgia
E.D.N.Y Docket No.: 24-CR-286 (CBA)
