South Carolina man pleads guilty to hate crime after vandalizing Jewish community complex

The 24-year-old admitted to posting threatening antisemitic flyers, including Nazi symbols, at a Jewish community complex in North Carolina.

A 24-year-old South Carolina man pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to a hate crime after vandalizing several buildings at the Shalom Park Jewish community complex in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to a press release from the US Justice Department. 

Dalton Ray Mullis, of Indian Land, South Carolina, admitted to posting threatening antisemitic flyers featuring Nazi symbols at several locations within the complex, including Charlotte Jewish Day School, the Holocaust Memorial and an employee building.

The flyers contained threatening messages and images of a hangman's noose, a swastika, and a skull symbol associated with the Nazi SS.

Security cameras at the complex captured Mullis spraying what appeared to be adhesive on an entrance to the Jewish day school before attaching an antisemitic flyer to the door.

According to court documents, Mullis also posted antisemitic messages and images on several social media platforms between January and April 2026, using accounts he owned and operated.

In the press release announcing the guilty plea, the Justice Department included an image posted by the suspect showing a flyer with a swastika and a noose attached to a glass surface.

In the image caption, Mullis claimed that a member of the group had "left something" at a Jewish community center in Charlotte.

US attorney condemns antisemitic act

US Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson condemned the display of Nazi and lynching symbols at the Jewish community center, saying such acts foster fear and hatred.

“In this country, everyone is entitled to practicing their faith without fear, intimidation, or harassment. Those that violate federal laws protecting that right will face consequences," Ferguson emphasized.

FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis said Mullis's guilty plea acknowledged his role in distributing threatening materials intended to intimidate members of the Jewish community because of their religious beliefs.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI's Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, with assistance from other agencies.

Mullis remains in federal custody. A sentencing date has not yet been set.