Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
More Charges For Upstate Mosque-Harassing Teens
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Sep 14, 2010
Modified Sep 14, 2010
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 .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Sep 14, 2010
Modified Sep 14, 2010
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
The five teenagers charged with disrupting a religious service after honking their horns, yelling obscenities and firing a shotgun outside the World Sufi Foundation in Carlton, NY were slapped with more misdemeanor charges at their court appearance yesterday. All five were charged with first-degree harassment, and 18-year-old Dylan Phillips was charged with third-degree assault and leaving the scene of a personal injury incident for sideswiping a worshiper as he drove away. However, a prosecutor is holding off classifying their actions as a hate crime.
Mark Vendetti, the 17-year-old who fired the shotgun, claims he fired it because he was afraid mosque members were coming after him. He was charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon, but released on $10,000 bail. Phillips pleaded not guilty to his charges, and the three others had their cases adjourned. Orleans County District Attorney Joseph Cardone said of a hate crime classification, "Until we get a clear understanding of what it is that motivated these young people and have a clear understanding from the members of the mosque how they want us to proceed with this, we're holding off on giving these crimes that designation."
Mosque members agree with the judgment, and though they want the boys to be punished, Imam Bilal Huzair said they want "nothing extreme." He said outside the court, "Upon looking at what had happened and after time has expired, we don't think the boys had any intent of making a hate crime. They were shouting anti-Muslim obscenities. However, it was a one-time deal."
Tagged
assault
carlton
misdemeanor
mosque
shotgun
teenagers
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
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 .