The short version
- Larry Montes was charged federally with two hate crime counts and one count of damaging religious property after a violent outburst at Central Synagogue.
- The incident occurred during Shabbat services, resulting in injuries to a woman and a security guard who intervened to remove Montes from the premises.
- Prosecutors allege that Montes made explicit statements linking his actions to racial and anti-Semitic animus, prompting both state and federal legal responses.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have formally charged Larry Montes with hate crimes following a violent disturbance at Central Synagogue on August 14. The charges come after Montes allegedly attacked a congregant and assaulted a security guard while disrupting Shabbat services. This federal action supplements state-level hate crime charges already filed against him, signaling a coordinated legal response to the incident that unfolded during evening worship.
According to the criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of New York, the altercation began approximately nine minutes into the service. Montes reportedly stood up and shouted profanities before approaching the stage. He then struck two ceremonial silver candlesticks with gold accents, causing them to fall and sustaining damage to their bases and decorative elements. The physical destruction of these religious items forms part of the federal charge regarding damage to property resulting in bodily injury.
The violence escalated when synagogue security personnel attempted to remove Montes from the building. Authorities state that he physically struck a 63-year-old woman, causing a cut to her lip and an injury to her forearm. When a Black security team member intervened, Montes allegedly spat at him and head-butted him. The complaint indicates that during this confrontation, Montes directed racial slurs toward the guard and used profane language against those attempting to restrain him.
The incident was captured on a livestream of the services, providing visual evidence of the disruption. Footage showed Montes yelling as security staff worked to subdue him and escort him out of the sanctuary. The public nature of the broadcast meant that the attack was visible to remote viewers in real time, adding a layer of exposure to the violence that occurred within the house of worship.
Following his arrest by an NYPD sergeant assigned to the synagogue, Montes allegedly made statements to police that prosecutors cite as evidence of motive. He reportedly told officers that his actions were driven by racial and religious hostility, explicitly stating he would never affiliate with synagogues in New York or Israel. When questioned about using a racial slur against the Black security officer, Montes allegedly admitted to having 'racial issues' and described himself as being direct about them.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald emphasized the severity of the charges in a press release, describing the attack as violent and hate-motivated. The statement highlighted that targeting a house of worship strikes at the fundamental right to practice faith safely. Federal authorities indicated they are committed to holding Montes accountable for disrupting worship, injuring individuals, and damaging property through what they characterize as hate-driven violence.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch also addressed the event, noting that Montes brought violence to Jewish New Yorkers who were engaged in prayer. She expressed gratitude for the quick response of the NYPD sergeant who took Montes into custody. The commissioner acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the city’s Hate Crimes Task Force and federal partners in pursuing accountability for the alleged crimes.
Montes remains in custody as the legal process moves forward. He is currently facing state charges alongside the new federal indictments. Contact information for his attorney was not immediately available, and no further details regarding his defense strategy have been released. The dual jurisdiction of the case suggests that prosecutors intend to pursue both local and national legal avenues to address the alleged offenses.
The incident has drawn attention to security protocols at places of worship in New York City. While the specific measures taken by Central Synagogue were not detailed in the immediate aftermath, the presence of an NYPD sergeant on site played a critical role in the arrest. The case underscores the challenges faced by religious institutions in ensuring safety during services while maintaining an open and welcoming environment for congregants.
As the investigation continues, authorities are likely to review additional evidence from the livestream and witness testimonies. The federal charges carry significant penalties if convicted, reflecting the government’s stance on hate-motivated violence. The outcome of this case may influence how similar incidents are prosecuted in the future, particularly regarding the intersection of religious freedom, public safety, and criminal accountability.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗Man accused of attacking duo at New York synagogue charged with federal hate crimes
