A suspect has been arrested and charged with a hate crime in connection to the antisemitic vandalism of a Brooklyn art museum director's home earlier this summer, as reported by the New York Police Department. Taylor Pelton, a 28-year-old individual from Queens, was taken into custody and charged with criminal mischief and criminal mischief as a hate crime for defacing the residence of Brooklyn Museum Director Anne Pasternak in June.
The vandalism involved splattering red paint on the front doors and windows of the home, along with a sign bearing red handprints that accused Pasternak of being a 'White Supremacist Zionist.' Additionally, red inverted triangles, a symbol associated with the military wing of Hamas, were painted on the windows and doors, indicating Israeli military targets.
Pelton faced separate charges in Manhattan for allegedly driving into the borough with others after the Brooklyn incident and defacing the sidewalk outside two other residences. Prosecutors claimed that Pelton and five others engaged in a targeted attack on the homes of four Brooklyn Museum board members, causing damage exceeding $10,000.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office stated that Pelton and his group were accused of vandalizing the homes using the same red inverted triangle symbols seen at the Brooklyn residence. Pelton's attorney did not provide any comments on the charges, and Pelton is currently on supervised release, with a scheduled arraignment on October 30.
The Brooklyn Museum acknowledged the charges against the suspect, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between peaceful protest and criminal acts. The museum's spokesperson highlighted their commitment to supporting artists' free expression and promoting dialogue and mutual understanding through art experiences.
Antisemitic incidents in the United States have been on the rise since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, with data from the Anti-Defamation League showing a 140% increase in incidents from 2022 to 2023. Pelton is set to appear in court for the Manhattan charges on September 23.
