Leader of International Extremist Group Sentenced to 15 Years for Soliciting Hate Crimes and Plotting Mass Casualty Attack in New York City

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Georgian national identified by federal authorities as the leader of an international neo-Nazi extremist organization has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after admitting to soliciting violent hate crimes, distributing bomb-making and poison instructions, and planning a mass casualty attack targeting Jewish communities and racial minorities in New York City.

MICHAIL CHKHIKVISHVILI, 22, also known as “COMMANDER BUTCHER,” “BUTCHER,” “MISHKA,” and “MICHAEL,” was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn by United States District Judge CAROL BAGLEY AMON.

Federal prosecutors stated CHKHIKVISHVILI served as a leader of the violent extremist organization known as Maniac Murder Cult, also identified in court documents as “Maniacs Murder Cult,” “Maniacs: Cult of Killing,” “MKY,” “MMC,” and “MKU.”

Authorities described the organization as an international racially motivated violent extremist network promoting neo-Nazi ideology, accelerationist violence, mass casualty attacks, hate crimes, and acts of terrorism targeting Jewish individuals, racial minorities, and other groups designated by the organization as “undesirables.”

According to federal prosecutors, CHKHIKVISHVILI recruited individuals online to commit violent acts on behalf of the organization and actively distributed extremist propaganda encouraging attacks involving explosives, arson, poison, and mass killings.

Federal authorities stated CHKHIKVISHVILI was extradited from Moldova to the Eastern District of New York in May 2025 before later pleading guilty in November.

The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney JOSEPH NOCELLA, JR., Assistant Attorney General JOHN A. EISENBERG of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Assistant Attorney General HARMEET K. DHILLON of the Civil Rights Division, FBI Assistant Director in Charge JAMES C. BARNACLE, JR. of the FBI New York Field Office, and New York City Police Commissioner JESSICA S. TISCH.

Federal officials stated the investigation was conducted through the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, a large interagency counterterrorism partnership involving the FBI, NYPD, and dozens of additional federal, state, and local agencies focused on identifying and disrupting terrorism threats, extremist violence, and transnational criminal activity.

According to court documents, CHKHIKVISHVILI distributed a violent manifesto known as the “Hater’s Handbook” beginning around September 2021. Federal prosecutors stated the publication promoted acts of mass violence, including school shootings, hate crimes, targeted killings, bombings, and extremist accelerationist ideology intended to inspire societal collapse through violence and terror.

Authorities stated the manifesto additionally contained statements attributed to CHKHIKVISHVILI claiming he had committed murder “for the white race.”

Federal investigators stated CHKHIKVISHVILI traveled to Brooklyn, New York, in June 2022. Beginning as early as July 2022, prosecutors allege he repeatedly used Telegram and other online communication systems to encourage violent attacks and recruit individuals willing to carry out extremist acts in the United States and internationally.

The investigation later revealed that CHKHIKVISHVILI communicated extensively with an undercover FBI employee posing as a potential associate. According to prosecutors, beginning in approximately November 2023, CHKHIKVISHVILI solicited the undercover employee to commit violent hate crimes involving bombings, arsons, poisonings, and attacks targeting racial minorities and Jewish communities.

Federal authorities stated the extremist plot escalated into planning for a mass casualty attack in New York City intended to occur during New Year’s Eve celebrations.

According to prosecutors, one proposed scheme involved an individual dressed as Santa Claus distributing poisoned candy to children belonging to minority communities. Authorities later stated the plans evolved into direct targeting of Jewish schools, Jewish children, and members of Brooklyn’s Jewish community.

Federal investigators stated CHKHIKVISHVILI distributed detailed manuals and instructional material involving the creation and use of lethal poisons, toxic compounds, explosive devices, and ricin.

The case reflects growing concern among federal counterterrorism investigators regarding the role online extremist ecosystems now play in radicalization, recruitment, operational planning, propaganda distribution, and transnational violent extremist networking. Authorities have repeatedly warned that encrypted messaging systems, anonymous communication platforms, manifesto-sharing communities, and decentralized extremist channels have accelerated the spread of racially motivated violent extremist ideology across international borders.

Federal prosecutors additionally linked CHKHIKVISHVILI and Maniac Murder Cult propaganda to multiple violent incidents worldwide.

According to court filings:

• In January 2025, a 17-year-old student carried out a deadly attack at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, killing one individual and injuring another before dying by suicide. Authorities stated the attacker referenced Maniac Murder Cult and explicitly mentioned CHKHIKVISHVILI in manifesto material released before the attack.
• In August 2024, an attacker in Eskisehir, Turkey allegedly stabbed five people outside a mosque while livestreaming the assault and wearing Nazi-related insignia. Federal authorities stated writings attributed to the attacker contained direct references to CHKHIKVISHVILI and distributed links connected to the “Hater’s Handbook” and related extremist propaganda.

Federal authorities emphasized that extremist leaders operating internationally can still face prosecution inside the United States when investigations establish links to terrorism-related plotting, hate crime solicitation, interstate threats, or operational targeting connected to U.S. communities.

The prosecution was handled by the Eastern District of New York’s National Security and Cybercrime Section.

Assistant United States Attorneys ANDREW D. REICH and ELLEN H. SISE led the prosecution with assistance from Trial Attorney JUSTIN SHER of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, Special Agent KRISTOFFER BORCH of the Eastern District of New York Criminal Investigations Unit, and Paralegal Specialists REBECCA ROTH and WAYNE COLON.

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division also provided assistance during the prosecution.

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