OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A 51-year-old homeless man is facing a hate crime charge after allegedly vandalizing a synagogue in Oak Park.
David Justin Gorevitz has been charged with one count of Hate Crime – Malicious Destruction of Personal Property for vandalism at Congregation Beth Shalom.
“Attacks on Jewish houses of worship threaten the safety of congregants and undermine one of our nation’s most fundamental values: freedom of religion,” said Prosecutor Karen McDonald. “Antisemitism and religious intolerance of any kind have no place in our communities.”
He could face up to 5 years in prison if convicted.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office released these details:
On April 19, the defendant is alleged to have drawn antisemitic slurs and Nazi iconography on the exterior of the Oak Park synagogue. The defendant was recognized by law enforcement from video capturing the incident.
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