University Heights declares no room for hate

A local man who pled guilty to making hateful and anti-Semitic calls to local synagogues was sentenced recently to six months in jail.

Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said the defendant left threatening voicemails at East-side temples, including two voicemails here in University Heights. “The defendant got two six-month sentences, running concurrently, only the second sentence is suspended,” Brennan said. “That means he will be on community control to the court even after he serves time.”

Brennan thanked Judge KJ Montgomery for treating the offenses seriously. In addition, he thanked City Prosecutor Michael Astrab, the UH Police Department and the Jewish Federation for working together to bring the defendant to justice.

“Our city is a welcoming city, and there is no place in it for hate,” Brennan said.

“If anyone is considering similar actions, let me be clear,” Astrab said. "If you make these types of threats in University Heights, the hammer will be brought down, you will be prosecuted, and you will be punished.”