Bronx man faces federal hate crime charges over NYC synagogue attack

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Federal prosecutors charged Bronx resident Larry Montes with two counts of committing hate crimes and one count of damaging religious property following an incident at Manhattan's Central Synagogue on August 16. During a Shabbat service, Montes allegedly shouted at congregants, damaged ceremonial silver candlesticks, and assaulted a security guard and a female attendee while using antisemitic and racial slurs. The Department of Justice intervened in the case to address the racially motivated nature of the attack, which follows a broader trend of 205 anti-Jewish bias incidents recorded in New York City through the end of July.

Consequences

Montes faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years for the charge of damaging religious property and 10 years for each hate crime count. The federal charges underscore the Department of Justice's commitment to prioritizing the prosecution of antisemitic and racially motivated violence.

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