US attorney asks judge to detain Central Synagogue attacker pending trial

U.S. Attorney James McDonald for the Southern District of New York has requested a judge detain Larry Montes, who is accused of assaulting a congregant at Central Synagogue in Manhattan on August 14, pending trial. Montes, arrested and charged with hate crimes, was transferred to federal custody on August 23. McDonald cited Montes's statement during arrest that "he planned to return to the synagogue at a later date," arguing that Montes "poses a continued threat to the synagogue and its congregants." McDonald also highlighted Montes's history of violent or threatening conduct, including prior convictions and arrests for theft and assault, and noted that Montes's post-arrest statements revealed deep-seated animosity toward Jewish people.