A 21-year-old man has been indicted for a series of hate crime graffiti incidents targeting synagogues and a Jewish volunteer ambulance in New York City. Lenny De La Rosa, the suspect, claims to be just an artist and pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could face between 16 months and four years behind bars.
De La Rosa was charged with four counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree as a hate crime, relating to the defacement of three Upper East Side synagogues and one Jewish volunteer ambulance. The incidents occurred over a span of fewer than 48 hours in mid-August. In a defiant manner, De La Rosa smirked as the charges were announced in Manhattan Supreme Court.
When questioned about his motive for the acts by a journalist, De La Rosa dismissed the notion of being anti-Semitic or hating Jews, stating I love everybody. He described himself as an artist and requested that he not be harassed or recorded. During an interview with a detective, De La Rosa claimed that he had tagged the synagogues because Islam chose him and that he had friends from diverse backgrounds including Jewish friends.
The graffiti spree began on August 12th when De La Rosa allegedly wrote JESUS SAINTZZZ on a screen outside Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun Synagogue. Two days later, he defaced a glass display in front of Temple Shaaray Tefila with the words DEAD RIIP. Shortly after, he tagged the side of a Hatzalah ambulance with the same phrase. Finally, he wrote Dead B-P on the front door of Congregation Or Zarua. In each instance, when confronted with evidence of his vandalism, De La Rosa boldly admitted to the acts.
If convicted, De La Rosa’s actions will be regarded as a clear act of hate fueled by anti-Semitism. District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the importance of keeping synagogues as safe spaces for practicing faith and condemned acts of bias and anti-Semitism.
De La Rosa has no prior criminal convictions, but he does have open cases for assault and criminal mischief. The court will proceed with the case, and a trial will determine his guilt or innocence.
