NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Two men whose planned attack on Jewish communities in New York City was intercepted by authorities last month were charged on Wednesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.
“Thanks to the diligence, hard work, and coordination between my office and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, a terrible tragedy was averted,” Bragg said. “The increase in anti-Semitic attacks and threats cannot and will not be tolerated. Manhattanites and all New Yorkers should know that we continue to vigorously prosecute hate crimes every day and use every means at our disposal to combat hate and bias.”
Photo credit NYPD
Matthew Mahrer, 22, of Manhattan, and Christopher Brown, 21, of Aqueboque, Suffolk County, were each charged with varying degrees of conspiracy and criminal gun possession. Brown was also charged with criminal gun possession as a terrorism crime, making a terrorist threat, and making a terrorist threat as a hate crime.
Breaking – NYPD arrests Matthew Mahrer, 22, and Christopher Brown, 21, at Penn Station after the men threatened New York City synagogues.
The men, one of whom wore a swastika armband, were in possession of a firearm, 30 rounds of ammunition and a hunting knife. pic.twitter.com/btDqiZ6vsD
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) November 19, 2022
Brown and Mahrer were arrested at Penn Station on November 19, where MTA police found a knife, a swastika armband, and a ski mask in Brown’s backpack.
The day before, Brown had posted several threats on Twitter, including “I’m going to ask a priest to marry me or shoot a synagogue and die” and “This time I really will.”
The police also found a backpack with a gun, an extended magazine and 19 rounds of ammunition in Mahrer’s apartment. One of the guns in the backpack had been obtained from Mahrer in Pennsylvania after Brown allegedly paid him $650 for it.
DA Bragg: “The increase in anti-Semitic attacks and threats cannot and will not be tolerated. Manhattan residents and all New Yorkers should know that we continue to vigorously investigate hate crime every day and use every means at our disposal to address hate and bias.”
— Alvin Bragg (@ManhattanDA) December 7, 2022
“Protecting all New Yorkers is paramount, and this case illustrates the NYPD’s continued commitment to combating terrorism and hate in all forms,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “Through the focused, collective efforts of the NYPD and our many law enforcement partners, we have been able to uncover, investigate, and most importantly, stop a threat to our Jewish community. We will never tolerate hate in our city and pledge to hold accountable anyone who threatens the safety of our diverse population.”
Featured Image Photo Credit: BRAD NADING/GARDEN CITY TELEGRAM / USA TODAY NETWORK
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