Muslims behind ‘South Park’ threats sent to jail

Jesse Curtis Morton

Zachary Chesser

You may recall two years ago when a small reactionary Islamic group named Revolution Muslim issued thinly veiled death threats over a South Park episode that included an alleged depiction of Mohammed, successfully getting Comedy Central to censor it to widespread outrage and ridicule. As a result, those responsible have now received their sentences:

A Muslim who admitted posting internet threats against the creators of the South Park TV show has been sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison.

Jesse Curtis Morton, 33, who founded the now-offline Revolution Muslim website, had already admitted using it for al-Qaeda propaganda.

He conspired against South Park's writers after the show depicted the prophet Muhammad wearing a bear suit.

Co-accused Zachary Chesser received a 25-year sentence in February.

Chesser, a 20-year-old American Muslim convert, was handed a stiffer sentence as he had twice tried to travel to Somalia to join al-Shabab, which the US designates as a terrorist group.

It may seem like twelve years is an unusually hefty sentence for what amounts to mere threats (though I don’t suppose the extremist connotations of their site and allegiances helped), particularly after Morton issued what appears to be a genuine apology for posting them. At any rate, he and Chesser will now have plenty of time to reflect on the stupidity of trying to bully others with death threats in a society that, perhaps unlike their place of origin, doesn’t put up with such caveman-era behavior.

(via Dispatches from the Culture Wars)

Tags: Jesse Morton • Zachary Chesser • South Park • Comedy Central • death threats • Mohammed