Local doctor indicted on ethnic intimidation in threats against Jewish-American congressman Max Miller
CLEVELAND (WJW) — A local doctor accused of threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Max Miller (R-Rocky River) and his family in an 'antisemitic' rant on a local highway has been indicted on new felony charges.
Miller, who is Jewish-American, in a June social media post claimed that while he was on his way to work, the man tried to run him off the highway, while showing him a photo of a Palestinian flag on a cell phone and yelling 'Death to Israel' and another profane remark against Jewish people.
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It happened just before 9:30 a.m. on June 19, 2025, on Interstate 90 East in Rocky River, according to authorities.
Feras S. Hamdan, 36, of Avon, was initially charged with misdemeanor counts of ethnic intimidation and aggravated menacing in the Rocky River Municipal Court, to which he pleaded not guilty and was handed a $500,000 bond.
A Cuyahoga County grand jury has since indicted him on felony counts of ethnic intimidation and tampering with evidence, as well as misdemeanor counts of aggravated menacing and menacing.
'Threatening violence towards an elected official and their family is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,' Prosecutor Michael O'Malley is quoted in the release. 'This type of mindless behavior is happening all too frequently in our country and it must come to an end. We are thankful no one was injured during this incident and for the exceptional investigation by the Rocky River Police Department which led to this prompt arrest and indictment.'
Prosecutors allege Hamdan pulled up alongside Miller in his vehicle, honked his horn, then swerved into Miller's vehicle, causing Miller to swerve to avoid him. Miller then slowed down and drove next to Miller's car, and began threatening him and his family.
Miller got off the highway and called 911. Hamdan followed, stopped near him and continued yelling at him, then fled the scene, according to the release.
Hamdan recorded part of the interaction on his phone, sent that recording to others, then deleted it, according to county prosecutors.
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Hamdan later surrendered at the Rocky River Police Department and was booked into the Rocky River jail, according to police.
At Hamdan's arraignment the day after the incident, Rocky River Prosecutor Michael O'Shea said authorities were still working to obtain the aforementioned cell phone for evidence. Speaking in open court, he warned that anyone suspected of tampering with the phone could face a felony charge more serious than the charges against Hamdan.
Hamdan's attorney, Issa Elkhatib of Cleveland, said at Hamdan's arraignment last month that they would not surrender the phone, considering it a violation of Hamdan's First and Fourth amendment rights.
Elkhatib said Hamdan is a natural-born U.S. citizen, a licensed physician with his own private practice and 'a model community member who has never committed a crime in his life.'
Hamdan is set to be arraigned 'at a later date,' reads the release.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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