A Neo-Nazi cult leader Michail Chkhikvishvili, known chillingly as ‘Commander Butcher,’ has changed the idea of Santa, as someone delivering presents to the Marvel universe, to someone to keep an eye on.
Chkhikvishvili officially pleaded guilty on Monday to plotting one of the most disgusting and antisemitic attacks imaginable: poisoning Jewish children with ricin-laced candy. This is the newest development in a case that has spanned years, stemming from a horrific plan to use a person dressed as Santa Claus to distribute the toxic sweets across New York City.
Chkhikvishvili, a Georgian national, was one of the central figures in the Maniac Murder Cult, an extremist group dedicated to committing violent acts to advance their hateful beliefs. He has pleaded guilty to charges including soliciting hate crimes and sending detailed instructions on how to manufacture bombs and the deadly poison ricin. This is an absolutely sickening, cowardly plan; it’s hard to fathom using a universal symbol of kindness like Santa to commit mass murder against children.
The plot was uncovered when Chkhikvishvili actually instructed an undercover police officer to dress up in a Santa outfit and hand out candy that would be laced with ricin. Prosecutors handling the case stated that the target list was chillingly broad, aiming for “many racial minorities and traitors.” However, his specific plans focused heavily on Jewish children in New York City, according to Unilad.
Evil santa goes down and pleads guilty
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch slammed the plot, emphasizing that it was rooted in pure hatred. She stated, “Michail Chkhikvishvili plotted extensive terrorist attacks targeting Jewish New Yorkers, including horrific plans to poison children.” She added that, “This wasn’t just violent behavior — it was extreme antisemitism rooted in Neo-Nazi ideology that put communities here and around the world at risk.”
The Christmas plot was just one piece of Chkhikvishvili’s widespread campaign of terror. In 2021, he distributed a horrifying document called the ‘Hater’s Handbook’ to members of his cult and others online. This manifesto was essentially a manual for mass violence, detailing methods and strategies for committing large-scale “terror attacks.”
The leader of an Eastern European neo-Nazi group who tried to recruit an undercover federal agent to dress as Santa Claus and hand out poisoned candy to Jewish children and racial minorities has pleaded guilty to soliciting hate crimes.
— Patrick / 55018 (@genekasa54) November 19, 2025
The handbook specifically encouraged carrying out attacks within the United States. It outlined strategies like using vehicles to target “large outdoor festivals, conventions, celebrations and parades” and “pedestrian congested streets.” If that wasn’t awful enough, the manifesto reportedly encouraged members to commit school shootings and even use children to carry out suicide bombings that targeted ethnic minorities. You can tell this man was obsessed with maximizing pain and chaos.
Tragically, Chkhikvishvili’s propaganda did lead to real-world violence. He was linked to the January 2025 shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville. The 17-year-old perpetrator of that attack, who killed one person before taking his own life, allegedly cited Chkhikvishvili in his own manifesto. So he’s not just an awful man, but helps school shooters.
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg condemned the leader’s efforts and the damage they caused. He stated, “Chkhikvishvili’s monstrous plots and propaganda calling for racially motivated violence against civilians, including children, posed a grave threat to public safety.” Eisenberg continued, “Unfortunately, his efforts on behalf of the aptly named Maniac Murder Cult in fact caused mayhem and death. We condemn his despicable ideology and will use every tool at our disposal to bring such predators to justice.”
