The Central Synagogue in New York. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenThe Central Synagogue in New York. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty ImagesMan accused of attacking duo at New York synagogue charged with federal hate crimesLarry Montes, already facing state charges, allegedly attacked 63-year-old woman and security guard on Friday
The man accused of attacking a woman and security guard at a New York City synagogue during Shabbat services Friday has been charged with hate crimes in Manhattan federal court, prosecutors said.
Larry Montes, who is already facing state-level hate crime charges, allegedly struck a 63-year-old woman as security was trying to boot him from Central Synagogue. He allegedly spat at, and head-butted, a security team member and damaged synagogue property, authorities said.
Montes is charged federally with two counts of committing hate crimes and one count of damage to religious property resulting in bodily injury, according to Manhattan federal prosecutors.
The woman suffered a cut on her lip as well as a forearm injury. A New York police department sergeant assigned to Central Synagogue intervened right away and arrested Montes, authorities said.
The incident took place after 6pm as Shabbat services were getting started.
Montes’s alleged attack was visible on a livestream of the services. The stream showed a man yelling as a security guard tried to restrain him and take him out of the synagogue.
