A Bronx man is facing federal hate crime charges following an alleged antisemitic attack at a Manhattan synagogue on Friday evening. Larry Montes, 46, was arrested and now faces two counts of committing hate crimes and one count of damaging religious property resulting in injury, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
During services at Central Synagogue, Montes allegedly approached the front, shouting, "I am Hashem," a reference to God, and knocked over candles and candle holders, causing them to break. As security escorted him out, Montes allegedly struck a 63-year-old woman, causing a lip cut and bruising, and headbutted a security guard while uttering a racial slur, authorities reported.
Following his arrest and after being read his Miranda rights, Montes told NYPD officers that he felt disrespected at the service and that the incident was "all a racial thing" and "all religious motivated," according to the federal complaint.
"Larry Montes' targeted acts of violence on a congregant, security guard, and synagogue during a Shabbat service are deeply disturbing," said James Barnacle Jr., Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office. "The FBI condemns any incident driven by bias or hate, and we commend the swift actions of the security personnel and first responders. Hate crimes have no place in New York, and we remain steadfast in protecting every community."
Montes was previously arrested on state charges including criminal mischief and attempted assault hate crime. He is currently being held on $10,000 bail. It is unclear when he will appear before a federal magistrate on the federal complaint.