Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bronx man faces federal hate crime charges in Central Synagogue attack
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Aug 18, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
John Lamparski/Getty Images
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Aug 18, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Bronx man already facing state hate crime charges after an attack at a Midtown synagogue is now also facing federal charges.
Federal authorities in New York charged Larry Montes, 46, on Tuesday with two counts of committing hate crimes, as well as destruction of religious property resulting in bodily injury.
Montes is accused of disrupting worship during a Friday night Shabbat service attended by roughly 375 people at Central Synagogue on Aug. 14. Federal authorities said Montes allegedly stood up and began shouting before hitting two ceremonial silver candlesticks.
Prosecutors allege Montes punched a congregant in her face. As security guards and law enforcement attempted to handcuff him, Montes allegedly directed a racial slur at a Black security guard, then spat in the guard's face and headbutted him near his left eye.
The Justice Department said Montes also made statements including “f--- you people” and “I don’t f--- with you people” as the synagogue’s head of security attempted to remove him from the service.
Montes then allegedly said that he planned to return to the synagogue.
The charges, which were filed in the Southern District of New York, demonstrate the Department of Justice’s willingness to “intervene to protect the public in the face of antisemitic and racially motivated attacks,” said Harmeet K. Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the department’s Civil Rights Division.
“Americans’ fundamental right to worship without fear of bias-motivated violence is sacrosanct and must be protected at all costs,” Dhillon said.
During a recorded interview after his arrest, the federal complaint states, Montes said “f--- the Jews. ... It’s racial” and described his actions as “all religious motivated.”
Montes is currently in state custody and is expected to appear in Manhattan federal court at a later date, according to the Department of Justice.
Each of the two federal hate crime charges carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The charge of damaging religious property resulting in bodily injury carries a maximum penalty of 20 years. Any sentence would ultimately be determined by a judge.
An attorney representing Montes did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Gothamist.
Tagged
manhattan
new york city
public safety
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYPD searches for 2 16-year-olds linked to recent fatal shootings of other teens
Both incidents happened in apartments where the teens were hanging out with friends, police said.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 21, 2026 at 2:57 p.m. ET
Tribeca tenants blame $5K rents on nation's largest brokerage in new federal complaint
Two renters claim Compass has become a "real estate leviathan" with a monopoly on Manhattan listings that leads to rising rents.
By
David Brand
News
Tribeca tenants blame $5K rents on nation's largest brokerage in new federal complaint
Two renters claim Compass has become a "real estate leviathan" with a monopoly on Manhattan listings that leads to rising rents.
By
David Brand
NYPD says it will neutralize unauthorized drones over US Open in Queens
By
Ryan Kost
What is the real cost of NYC's Second Avenue subway extension? Depends who you ask.
By
Clayton Guse
Early Addition: Macy’s hosts Thanksgiving feast in August
By
Dana Binfet
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .