NYC synagogue attacker faces new federal hate crime charges

Federal prosecutors filed additional hate crime charges on Tuesday against 46-year-old Larry Montes, following a violent disturbance during a Shabbat service at Central Synagogue in Manhattan. Montes, who was already facing state charges, now faces multiple federal hate crime counts, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. He is also charged with damaging religious property resulting in bodily injury, an offense punishable by up to 20 years behind bars. Assistant US Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated that the Department of Justice will intervene to protect the public against antisemitic and racially motivated attacks, emphasizing that the right to worship without fear is sacrosanct. According to court documents, Montes allegedly charged toward the rabbi, called congregants 'fake Jews,' punched a 63-year-old woman, and assaulted a Black security guard while using racial slurs. Prosecutors reported that after receiving Miranda warnings, Montes acknowledged his actions, describing them as religiously and racially motivated, and expressed animosity toward Jewish and Black people. Montes, who has two prior misdemeanor convictions, was granted bail after a court appearance on Saturday and is scheduled to appear before a state judge on Thursday.