Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Friday, Oct. 8, that Jordan Burnette was indicted on multiple charges, including criminal trespass as a hate crime, for defacing multiple synagogues in the Northwest Bronx earlier this year, as reported at the time by Norwood News.  

 

Clark said the defendant, Burnette, 30, of Riverdale, was arraigned on a 76-count indictment before Bronx Supreme Court justice, Lester Adler on Friday. As previously reported, Burnette was arrested on May 1 in the 50th precinct.

 

The charges included criminal trespass in the third degree as a hate crime, trespass, second-degree criminal mischief, criminal mischief in the second degree as a hate crime, first-degree aggravated harassment, third-degree criminal mischief, criminal mischief in the third degree as a hate crime, fourth-degree criminal mischief, criminal mischief in the fourth degree as a hate crime, third-degree burglary, burglary in the third degree as a hate crime, petit larceny, petit larceny as a hate crime, and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

 

According to the investigation, at approximately 5:45 p.m. on April 21, 2021, Burnette allegedly entered the Riverdale Jewish Center without permission and activated the fire alarm. The next day, the defendant allegedly threw rocks at the front glass door of the premises, shattering the window and damaging the The following day, April 23, the defendant went to the Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale and allegedly threw rocks at one of the front windows, shattering the glass.

 

The next day, April 24, at approximately 10:25 p.m., Burnette allegedly threw rocks at the front glass door and widows of the Young Israel of Riverdale Synagogue, damaging the property. On April 24, at approximately 10:50 p.m., Burnette allegedly threw rocks at the front glass door of the Conservative Adath Synagogue, as well as at the office windows and a side window, shattering glass. Approximately five minutes later, the defendant returned to Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale and allegedly threw rocks at two windows, breaking the glass.

 

According to the investigation, on the night of April 24, Burnette went back to the Riverdale Jewish Center and allegedly threw rocks at the front glass door and side windows of the premises. On May 1, he returned to the Conservative Adath Synagogue and allegedly took a bicycle from the storage shed. The defendant also allegedly damaged several religious books.

 

In reference to the event, Clark said, “The defendant allegedly went to multiple synagogues in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and vandalized property.” She added, “Those shameful incidents brought fear and terror to worshippers. To our Bronx Jewish community, we support you, and we are also horrified about those attacks. We live in a vibrant, diverse community, and we are united against these appalling acts.”

 

Michael Horowitz, a Riverdale resident and member of the Jewish community shared his thoughts on the attacks in a Norwood News op-ed, last May.

 

In the context of the announcement, Clark thanked assistant district attorney, Lieselle Bumatay, of Trial Bureau 60, Joao D’Alessandro, supervisor in the Bronx District Attorney’s video unit, and Bronx District Attorney’s video technicians, Stalin Crespo and Gianluca Infantino. She also thanked Detectives Alfred Genao and Eric Pena of the NYPD hate crime task force.

 

The case is being prosecuted by assistant district attorney, Scott McDonald, of Trial Bureau 60, under the supervision of Susanna Imbo, chief of Trial Bureau 60, and under the overall supervision of James Brennan, deputy chief of the trial division, and Theresa Gottlieb, chief of the trial division.

 

According to the latest data as of Oct. 8 from the NYPD, hate crimes have risen by 99 percent between 2020 and 2021 across New York City.

 

As previously reported, the NYPD confirmed that citywide, through Aug. 8, 2021, there have been a total of 355 hate crimes, of which 117 were anti-Semitic. Meanwhile, recorded year-to-date, anti-Muslim hate crimes as of Aug. 8, 2021 amounted to 8. There were 2 recorded during 2020.

 

The NYPD said at the time these hate crime task force statistics may be subject to change as “active possible bias” cases can be reclassified to “non-bias” cases and removed from those counted statistics, upon investigation.

 

On Oct. 6, Gov. Kathy Hochul said the State was investing an additional $25 million, in addition to $43 million distributed that day, to help nonprofit organizations protect those at risk of hate crimes. “This will support 800+ projects across New York State and bolster security at community centers, schools, museums, and day camps,” she said on Twitter.

 

No New Yorker should have to live in fear of a hate crime. These heinous acts strike at the heart of our democratic values.

That’s why today I’m ensuring communities have the tools to stop them. #WeAreNY

— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 6, 2021

“No New Yorker should have to live in fear of a hate crime. These heinous acts strike at the heart of our democratic values,” she said. “That’s why today, I’m ensuring communities have the tools to stop them. #WeAreThey”

 

In addition to the new funding, she said the State Human Rights agency and the police have teamed up to make a new PSA to help keep New York safer for everyone.

 

“Hate has no home here, and we’ll do everything in our power to protect vulnerable people,” Hochul added. “If you see or experience an incident of hate or bias, you can report it at http://ny.gov/hatehasnohome.”

 

Meanwhile, Burnette is due back in court on Jan. 11, 2022.

 

A person arrested and accused of a crime is innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

To report a hate crime in progress or any emergency, call 911. Non-emergencies should be reported to the local precinct. New Yorkers can also place general questions about the work that the New York City Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes is doing, by emailing OPHC@cityhall.nyc.gov or visiting nyc.gov/stophate.