LI Man Accused Of Hate Crimes, Anti-Semitic Graffiti Indicted: DA

MINEOLA, NY — An East Meadow man was indicted on several charges after he allegedly spray painted anti-Semitic phrases on fences and in front of a synagogue in April, prosecutors said.

Sebastian Patino Caceres, 23, was arraigned on multiple charges of criminal mischief as a hate crime, authorities said.

Accoding to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, on April 14 and 15, Patino Caceres reportedly spray-painted several anti-Semitic phrases on PVC fencing of the rear yards of private homes along Merrick Avenue. The phrases included “Zionism is Nazism,” “Stop the Genocide,” “Free Palestine,” and “F--k Israel", the DA said.

"Armed with a can of green spray paint and his bicycle, Sebastian Patino Caceres allegedly rode up to the Beth-El Jewish Center where he spray-painted ‘Free Palestine’ right outside the front door on the sidewalk," Donnelly said. "He continued on to Merrick Avenue where he made the choice to deface several homeowners’ fences with anti-Semitic vitriol, including scrawling hateful language over a mural of the faces of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas, according to the charges. This is not just graffiti — it is an act of hate. One that is meant to instill fear in our Jewish communities."

Patino Caceres is due back in court on Sept. 13; he is represented by attorney James Lynch, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

If convicted, Patino Caceres faces up to 2 1/3 years in prison, the DA's office said.