by
Jeffrey Stevens who goes by Zaid Stevens on LinkedIn
A freelance reporter for the Dearborn-based Arab American News is behind bars awaiting trial on charges of making online death threats against Jews and the CIA.
Jeffrey Stevens, 41, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was charged earlier this month in Indiana federal court with making interstate coummunication of a threat. A federal magistrate judge denied his request last Friday to remain free pending trial.
An affidvait from a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force states that last Nov. 16, he posted this on the CIA's public website: "I am going to shoot every pro-israel [sic] US government official in the head, and there is nothing you can do about it because you are the pathetic CIA. I am going to kill all of you."
Four days later, he sent a statement to the Fort Wayne Police Department via Facebook messenger, saying: "I am going to kill every Jew in ft. Wayne, and there is nothing you can do about it, because you are stupid n-----. I am going to make sure I kill every one of you, especially the dark ones, and there is nothing you stupid n---- can do [sic] about it."
The following month he posted on the CIA website: "People will remember me. I am going to be the pro-Palestinian who finally had enough that i started eliminating CIA operatives. You will only be remembered as one of many bitches who were slaughtered."
During an interview with the FBI task force, Stevens admitted posting messages and sending one to the Fort Wayne Police Department, according to the affidavit. He also admitted to having a drinking problem "and that he does things when he is drunk."
The Arab American News site has a photo of him and brief bio which states:
Jeffrey Stevens is the founder and director of Azarias Project, a 501c3, nonprofit organization publishing the truth from Gaza and the West Bank that isn't found through the mainstream media. He also covers the Middle East for multiple publications.
Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani told the Detroit News that Stevens was a freelance writer for his publication and at the time said he hadn't heard of Stevens' arrest.
"He didn't actually work for us, although his articles are on our website," Siblani said. "He's definitely against Israel 100%. ... We didn't post most of the stuff he sent us because it didn't meet our editorial standards."
