D.A. Bragg Announces Hate Crime Indictment Of Man For Antisemitic And Anti-Black Attacks At Central Synagogue

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of LARRY MONTES, 46, for allegedly attacking two people and damaging property while disrupting Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in August 2026. MONTES is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime and one count each of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime and Criminal Interference with Health Care Services or Religious Worship in the Second Degree, among other charges. [1]

"Places of worship should be safe havens, not scenes of violence and hate," said District Attorney Bragg. "As alleged, Larry Montes endangered congregants in the middle of services. He is charged with subsequently attacking two people in unprovoked, bias-motivated assaults and destroying religious property, all while spewing bigoted language. An attack on a house of worship threatens an entire community's sense of safety and the sanctity of these community pillars must be protected. I commend the Jewish community for its resilience amid heightened antisemitism, and I wish the victims a full recovery. As the Jewish High Holidays approach, we will remain vigilant alongside the NYPD to protect our synagogues throughout Manhattan."

"Our synagogues should be sacred spaces where New Yorkers can worship safely, but Larry Montes violated that sanctity when he disrupted a service at Central Synagogue and assaulted a congregant, as outlined in the indictment," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. "The NYPD will continue to stand with our Jewish communities and use the full force of this department to investigate hate crimes of any kind. I thank the investigators who acted quickly to apprehend this subject and prevent further harm, and the Manhattan District Attorney's office for prosecuting this case."

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record in court, on August 14, 2026, congregants were attending Shabbat services at Central Synagogue, near East 55th Street and Lexington Avenue in Midtown.

During the service, at approximately 6:05 p.m., MONTES allegedly approached the bimah at the front of the synagogue and yelled, in substance, that he was "Hashem." He then allegedly knocked two religious candles and candleholders to the ground, breaking them. In total, the damage to the property was valued at over $7,000.

MONTES allegedly went up the main aisle yelling antisemitic remarks as congregants attempted to worship. As security intervened to escort MORALES towards the exit, he allegedly struck a 63-year-old congregant in the face with the back of his hand, causing her to fall to the ground and suffer lacerations to her lip and right arm, as well as a bruise to the same arm.

After knocking the woman down, MONTES allegedly made a racist remark to a 65-year-old security guard, who was escorting him out, spit in his face and headbutted him.

Security eventually restrained MONTES until law enforcement arrived. He was arrested at the scene.

Assistant D.A. Phillip Klindt (Trial Bureau 70) is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Constantine Coritsidis (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit) and Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Hate Crimes Investigative Analysts Julie Anne Lim and Anoushka Aurora are assisting in the case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the New York City Police Department (NYPD), particularly officers from the Midtown North Precinct.

Defendant Information:

LARRY MONTES

Bronx, NY

Charged:

• Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a class C felony, two counts
• Attempted Assault in the Second Degree s a Hate Crime, a class D felony one count
• Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, a class E felony, one count
• Criminal Interference with Health Care Services or Religious Worship in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
• Disruption or Disturbance of Religious Service, Funeral, Burial or Memorial Service, a class A misdemeanor, one count
• Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, two counts

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.