A man accused of attacking a woman and a security guard at a New York synagogue during Friday Shabbat services has been charged with federal hate crimes in Manhattan federal court, prosecutors said. Larry Montes, who already faced state-level charges, allegedly struck a 63-year-old woman inside the Central Synagogue as security guards attempted to escort him out.
According to authorities, Montes also spat at a security officer, headbutted him, and damaged synagogue property. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan charged him with two counts of committing hate crimes and one count of damaging religious property resulting in bodily injury.
The woman sustained a cut lip and an arm injury. An NYPD sergeant on duty at the synagogue immediately intervened and detained the suspect following the incident, which occurred shortly after 6:00 PM as Shabbat services began. The attack was captured on the livestream of the service.
