CAMDEN, N.J. — A man who most recently lived in Albania has been indicted on federal charges alleging he spent more than a year terrorizing victims in New Jersey and Pennsylvania with repeated death threats delivered through voicemails and text messages, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced Thursday.
Jarvis Shabazz, 37, who has ties to New Jersey, Georgia, Malaysia, Morocco and Albania, was charged in a federal indictment with eight counts of interstate threats and two counts of cyberstalking. He made his initial appearance and was arraigned Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King in Camden federal court.
According to prosecutors, Shabazz allegedly left graphic voicemail messages threatening to kill one victim before continuing to send threatening communications to two victims over approximately 15 months.
- Jarvis Shabazz was charged with eight counts of interstate threats and two counts of cyberstalking.
- Prosecutors allege the threats targeted victims in New Jersey and Pennsylvania over a 15-month period.
- If convicted on all counts, Shabazz faces a maximum possible sentence of 50 years in federal prison.
Prosecutors detail graphic threats
According to the indictment, the alleged threats began on Oct. 10, 2022, when Shabazz left a voicemail threatening to kill one victim and stating he would soon be “dismembering bodies and carving human f***ing flesh.”
About a week later, prosecutors allege Shabazz left another voicemail for the same victim threatening to kill the individual and warning that the victim’s children “will suffer the same fate.”
Federal authorities allege the communications contained violent imagery, religious references, racial epithets and obscenities.
Harassment allegedly continued for more than a year
According to prosecutors, the threatening conduct continued for approximately 15 months.
The indictment alleges Shabazz repeatedly changed his telephone number after victims blocked his previous numbers, allowing him to continue sending threatening text messages and voicemails.
Federal prosecutors allege two victims ultimately received repeated threatening communications during the course of the investigation.
FBI led investigation
Each interstate threat count carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, while each cyberstalking charge also carries a maximum sentence of five years.
If convicted on every count, Shabazz faces a maximum possible sentence of 50 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation‘s Philadelphia Field Office and South Jersey Resident Agency with assistance from the West Deptford Police Department.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that the indictment contains allegations only, and Shabazz is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
What charges is Jarvis Shabazz facing?
Shabazz was charged with eight counts of interstate threats and two counts of cyberstalking in a federal indictment filed in New Jersey.
What do prosecutors allege?
Federal prosecutors allege Shabazz repeatedly threatened to kill two victims in New Jersey and Pennsylvania through graphic voicemails and text messages over approximately 15 months.
What sentence could he receive?
If convicted on all counts, Shabazz faces a maximum possible sentence of 50 years in federal prison. Any sentence would ultimately be determined by a federal judge.
Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, West Deptford Police Department
