An Edmonton man has been handed a three-month sentence after pleading guilty to making online threats against the Jewish community.

Esteban Pavez, 35, pleaded guilty at the Edmonton Court of Justice to one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. He was sentenced on Thursday to three months in custody but will not serve additional jail time, having received credit for time spent in pre-trial custody.

His sentence also includes two years of probation and a five-year weapons ban.

The RCMP arrested Pavez in January in connection with what police described as a “hate-related offence,” following a joint investigation with the Edmonton Police Service.

Members of the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team arrested Pavez on Dec. 20 and charged him with uttering threats.

Police said the charges followed an investigation into a person allegedly sharing extremist views and posting multiple online threats targeting the Jewish community.

In a statement, Stacey Leavitt-Wright, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their swift and effective action in preventing what she described as a potential catastrophic act of violence.

“It is deeply disturbing and saddening how comfortable Mr. Pavez was in expressing his hatred toward the Jewish community,” the statement reads.

“The knowledge that someone in our own city had both the mindset and the means to carry out violence against us—combined with over 100 violent online posts—has had a chilling effect.”

The statement ends with a note on the personal impact the case has had on Leavitt-Wright, noting she struggled to concentrate for days.

“This is the first time I have seen what could have led to true harm and destruction of our community in Edmonton. I reiterate that the scale of what was averted is shocking. I am deeply saddened and scared of what has made this feel like a new normal for Jews in Canada.”