Federal Hate Crime Charges Filed in Manhattan Central Synagogue Attack
Source: X | @NewYorkFBI
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Federal prosecutors in New York charged Larry Montes, 46, of the Bronx on August 18 with two hate crime counts and destruction of religious property following an August 14 attack at Central Synagogue in Manhattan, where he punched a female congregant, headbutted and spat on a Black security guard while directing a racial slur at him, and damaged two ceremonial candlesticks during Shabbat services attended by approximately 375 people.
ANALYSIS
Montes walked into the synagogue while services were underway and began shouting. He damaged the candlesticks before staff attempted to remove him, then punched a congregant and when officers moved to restrain him, spat on the security guard, called him a racial slur, and headbutted him near the eye. New York state hate crime charges were already filed before the Southern District of New York added concurrent federal charges on August 18. The federal destruction of religious property charge covers the damaged candlesticks; the two hate crime counts allege bias based on religion and race. Federal concurrent jurisdiction in house of worship attacks has expanded significantly since the 2018 Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh.
This is not an organized attack. Investigators have not identified any extremist affiliation or prior surveillance of the congregation. Montes appears to have walked in off the street. The incident is hate-motivated assault at a high-attendance worship service, not a plot, and the distinction matters for how agencies frame the threat. The doors of an active urban synagogue during services are typically open, security is minimal, and armed response time is measured in minutes. With Jewish high holidays starting in late September, agencies that have enhanced security protocols for high-attendance worship periods should factor this case into their current picture.
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