Springfield, IL – A Springfield man is facing charges after police say he made several threatening and alarming phone calls to three local Jewish organizations on July 8 and 9, targeting members of the Jewish faith and prompting the cancellation of worship activities at one synagogue.

Jermiah D. Collins, age 24, who is currently on pretrial release for an aggravated battery charge in Sangamon County, allegedly called Temple B’rith Sholom, Temple Israel, and the Chabad Jewish Center of Springfield using a cell phone registered in his name. In the voicemails and conversations, Collins made anti-Semitic remarks and used language that staff interpreted as violent threats, including references to bombs and arson.

At Temple B’rith Sholom, staff received a voicemail from Collins in which he stated he did not support Jews and warned that “time is ticking for everyone in Springfield and Illinois.” He also said, “the time is coming for the way the Jews and Israel do everybody else,” before repeating “tick, tick, tick, tick.” Staff interpreted the message as a bomb threat and reported it to the Springfield Police Department. The caller ID displayed the name “Jeremiah Collins,” and Collins later admitted to receiving a call from police but declined to speak with the officer.

Shortly after, Temple Israel received a similar call from Collins, in which he questioned why police had been contacted. Staff later discovered another threatening voicemail left on July 8. In that message, Collins referred to Temple Israel as a “terrorist organization,” threatened to “burn that place down,” and said people would love him for doing it. The message also ended with the repeated phrase “tick, tick, tick, tick.” Alarmed and fearful for their safety, Temple Israel staff canceled worship activities.

The Chabad Jewish Center of Springfield also reported receiving an aggressive voicemail and phone call from Collins. In the messages, Collins expressed anger over how a Jewish individual allegedly treated an African American and questioned the Jewish faith with an intimidating tone. Staff at the center said they feared potential violence from Collins based on the nature of the calls.

Following multiple reports, Springfield Police requested urgent phone records and location data for the number used. T-Mobile confirmed the number was registered to Jermiah Collins and traced to the Helping Hands homeless shelter in Springfield. Phone records showed calls placed to all three Jewish institutions consistent with the voicemail messages.

Detectives located Collins and took him into custody. He was found in possession of the phone used to make the calls. During a recorded interview, Collins confirmed the phone was his and admitted to placing the calls. He said he was upset after viewing a video in which a Jewish person allegedly assaulted an African American. Although he admitted to making the calls, Collins denied intending to threaten anyone and apologized for upsetting the organizations.

Collins has been charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office with Hate Crime, a Class 4 felony, and Harassment by Telephone, a Class B misdemeanor.