Joaquin H. Tenorio, 22, was charged with one count each of assault and battery and disturbing the peace.
He was summoned to appear in Superior Court on May 9 at 9 a.m. for a hearing.
Syed received a call from Tenorio shortly after he organized a rally supporting the U.S. Department of the Interior’s recommendation to the U.S. Congress to grant improved immigration status to guest workers.
“He called me and told me he would kill me. He told me he would chop off my hands. He would chop off my head and he will go after my family,” Syed told the Variety in a phone interview.
He said Tenorio got his phone number from the Feb. 18 Variety news story titled “Guest Workers Urged to Attend Senate Public Hearings.”
Fearing for the safety of his family, Syed reported the incident to the Federal Bureau of Investigation which referred the matter to local authorities.
Tenorio did not identify himself to Syed when he called.
However, authorities traced the call and learned who made it.
His aunt and Tenorio himself later called Syed to apologize and seek forgiveness.
The aunt told Syed that her nephew was “influenced” by another person who does not like guest workers asking for improved immigration status.
