Full Breakdown
Bronx Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes After Midtown Synagogue Attack
8/20/2026, 6:38:06 AM
Core Event
Larry Montes, a 46-year-old resident of the Bronx, disrupted a Shabbat service at Central Synagogue in Midtown Manhattan. During the service, he stood, shouted profanities, struck a female congregant, head-butted a Black security guard, and damaged two ceremonial silver candlesticks. After being restrained, he continued to use racial slurs and threatened to return. Federal prosecutors have charged Montes with two counts of committing hate crimes and one count of destruction of religious property resulting in bodily injury.
Background & Context
The incident occurred amid a documented rise in antisemitic hate crimes in New York City. City officials reported that by the end of July the NYPD had investigated 205 confirmed antisemitic incidents, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the 360 hate crimes investigated citywide that year.
Data & Statistics
- Charges: Two federal hate-crime counts; one count of damage to religious property resulting in bodily injury.
- Potential Sentences: Federal hate-crime counts carry up to 10 years each; the property-damage count carries up to 20 years.
- State Charges: Assault as a hate crime, criminal mischief as a hate crime, and aggravated harassment, with bail set at $10,000 cash or $30,000 bond.
- Prior Record: Montes has two past misdemeanor convictions for theft-related offenses and three prior robbery arrests.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Department of Justice announced the charges, emphasizing the civil-rights division’s role in protecting worshippers from bias-motivated violence.
- Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the charges serve as notice that the DOJ will intervene to protect the public from antisemitic and racially motivated attacks.
- Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald pledged that the office will work tirelessly to hold the defendant fully accountable and protect all communities from hate-driven violence.
- New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “deeply painful,” noting that a place of worship should never become a crime scene.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed horror at the violence and affirmed the city’s commitment to stand against bigotry in all its forms.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We will use every tool at our disposal to confront antisemitism and keep Jewish New Yorkers — and all New Yorkers — safe.” — The Simon Wiesenthal Center
- “You will not punch out our Jewish light. You will not stand and cause harm to our eternal light,” — Michele Anaberg-Poma, congregant
- “A place of worship should never be a crime scene,” — Jessica Tisch, city police commissioner
- “All New Yorkers and all Americans must be able to worship freely with no fear of danger for themselves or their families,” — Sen. Charles Schumer
What’s Next
Montes remains detained on Rikers Island awaiting arraignment in federal court. The court will schedule a hearing to address the federal charges, after which a trial date will be set. State proceedings are pending further arraignment.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No substantive discrepancies were identified among the sources regarding the facts of the attack, the charges filed, or the statements from officials.
