A Bronx man who pleaded not guilty to state hate crime charges in connection with an attack that happened during a Shabbat service at a Midtown Manhattan synagogue is now facing federal hate crime charges.
Larry Montes, 46, was charged Wednesday in Manhattan federal court with two counts of committing hate crimes and one count of damage to religious property resulting in bodily injury, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The charges stem from an incident that happened during an evening service at Central Synagogue, at Lexington Avenue and East 55th Street, last Friday.
According to a federal complaint, Montes stood up during the service and started shouting, knocking over two ceremonial candlesticks.
When the head of security at the synagogue tried to remove him, prosecutors say he cursed at the congregants and punched a woman who was attending the service.
As he was being handcuffed by security guards and police officers, he attacked a Black security guard, spitting in his face, headbutting him and cursing at him using a racial slur, according to prosecutors.
Following his arrest, prosecutors said Montes made statements expressing hostility towards Jewish people and said his actions were racially and religiously motivated.
“An attack on a house of worship is an attack on the fundamental right to practice one’s faith safely, and our Office will work tirelessly to ensure the defendant is held fully accountable as we continue to protect all communities from hate‑driven violence,” U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said in a statement.
Montes is currently being held on Rikers Island after failing to make bail, according to city Department of Correction records. He is due back in court on Thursday.
His attorney previously declined to comment on the state charges he faces.