Former Muslim Charged In Islamic Center Bomb Threat
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POMPANO BEACH (CBSMiami) -- A former Muslim man who claims he was harassed by the Islamic community for leaving the religion is facing charges for threats of violence at a mosque in Pompano Beach.
Shawkat Mzayek, 38, is accused of calling in a bomb threat at the Islamic Center of South Florida.
"He said, 'Your center's going to be blown up tonight and I'm going to kill all of you and ISIS in America," said Executive Director Nihad Sakallah.
Investigators tracked Mzayek down by the phone number that showed up on the caller ID.
"When the BSO detectives went there to question the individual, he admitted that he used the phone," said the Broward Sheriff's Office Veda Coleman-Wright. "He actually admitted to making the call."
Detectives said Mzayek told them he felt like he was targeted because he converted from Islam to Judaism. He tried to explain that to the judge.
"I'm not concerned with your faith," said the judge on Friday. "I'm concerned with those of the victims that are alleged."
He wife doesn't buy the allegations.
"He's accused of calling a mosque and calling in a bomb threat. Yeah, see, I don't believe that," said Ngwa Mzayek.
But it's not the first time Mzayek is in trouble. He was out on bond for an arrest just last week. He's accused of pointing a gun at a fellow driver during a road rage incident.
This week he's facing another serious charge. It concerned the judge so much she revoked his bond on the previous case and told him to stay away from mosques.
"You're not to have nothing at all, no direct, no indirect, contact with any mosque any where in the world and that's my order," the judge said.
As for members of the mosque who are observing Ramadan, they tell us they feel safer with him in custody.
"Life goes on," said Sakallah. "We're not going to allow anyone to disturb our lives."
