In a 25-count indictment, three individuals have been identified as making terroristic threats against Brooklyn Museum executives, and they are all being charged with hate crimes. According to reports, the three suspects vandalized property, left behind threatening messages, and used anti-Semitic graffiti and images against the executives.

Investigators suspect that at least two of the museum’s board of directors were targeted due to their perceived Jewish heritage, whereas two other board members were not targeted because they were not considered Jewish.

Detectives discovered video evidence of the group of suspects gathering together in the early morning on June 12. The trio can be seen entering the area and then leaving an hour later with a ton of supplies. A video camera at one of the vandalized locations was painted over. That area was completely defaced with red paint, damaging some of the property.

The suspects left the message “Brooklyn Museum, blood on your hands” and then named the board executive directly. The message went on to claim the executive funded genocide and war crimes. They again reiterated the message that the board director had blood on her hands. The sign also contained multiple inverted red triangles, which detectives believe are directly associated with Hamas.

Investigators found a red paint fingerprint at this vandalized scene that was later identified as belonging to 36-year-old Gabriel Schubiner.

Detectives believe that 28-year-old Taylor Pelton served as a getaway driver who transported all the suspects from location to location. Video footage shows Schubiner and 32-year-old Samuel Selingson heading towards the Executive Director’s residence but the camera was painted over to prevent identification of the suspects. At this location, the suspects defaced the building with red painted handprints, called the Director a White Supremacist Zionist, painted inverted triangles on the building, and wrote “blood on your hands”. Video surveillance footage shows the two suspects running away from the location.

The last targeted individual was the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The suspects are being charged with multiple crimes, including making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, third-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime, making graffiti, and fifth-degree conspiracy.

The Seriousness of Hate Crime Allegations in Brooklyn

In Brooklyn, when you get charged with a crime as a hate crime, your penalties are increased. Normally, criminal mischief is a property crime that’s considered a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. As a hate crime, the offense will be considered one category higher than the original offense.

If you’re facing hate crime allegations, then it’s imperative that you seek out an attorney’s advice as soon as possible. The right lawyer will help you identify your best path forward based on your circumstances, your charges, and local laws. Since your charges and penalties are heightened, it makes sense to consult with an attorney ASAP.

If you’re looking for representation in Brooklyn or a surrounding area, then schedule a call with our team here at Bukh Law now to learn more about your options.