Charlotte man federally charged for mailing out antisemitic material with his name on envelope

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A Charlotte man is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he mailed threatening, antisemitic letters to several Jewish organizations and individuals across the country.

Jail records show 58-year-old Brian Charles was arrested in September.

A federal complaint claims Charles used his own name on hand-addressed envelopes sent to major Jewish centers in South Florida and individuals elsewhere. He has since been transferred from Charlotte into federal custody in Miami.

Among those targeted was Ari Ne’eman, a university professor based in New England.

The envelope showed disturbing imagery and threats reading: “I am going to destroy my Jews” and “Many shall die,” according to the complaint.

“I think my first thought was, this is the internet leaking into the real world,” Ne’eman said in an interview with WBTV.

The threats hit home for Ne’eman, amid a sharp rise in antisemitic rhetoric and violence across the United States since the deadly October 7 terror attack in Israel, targeting Israeli citizens.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, violence targeting American Jews reached a record high in 2025.

“We’re very much committed that we’re not going to be intimidated by this,” Ne’eman said. “But it is very frightening and there is a very real cost in the form of the fear and added resources that synagogues and day schools and other Jewish organizations have to invest in security.”

Ne’eman said he chose to speak out to raise awareness about the escalation of hate speech and political vitriol, before it turns into physical violence.

“This is not simple disagreement, this is a cultural incitement and it’s very, very dangerous for people,” Ne’eman said. “I don’t want that for America. I don’t want us to be pushed into the shadows, because that’s not what America is supposed to be about.”

Court records show this is not the first time Charles has faced prosecution for violent threats.

According to the federal criminal complaint, Charles pleaded guilty in 2018 to a similar charge in New Mexico, involving threatening communications. He served 18 months in prison.