NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A man charged with destroying a statue at a Catholic church in Queens after telling the parish’s priest to “die” was arraigned on Wednesday, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced.
Jose Rodriguez, 38, is charged with the hate crime of aggravated harassment, two counts of criminal mischief, attempted assault and burglary.
“This defendant has been indicted on felony and hate crime charges for allegedly entering a Catholic church with the sole purpose of desecrating a holy institution and harassing those inside,” Katz said.
According to the indictment and investigation, Rodriguez rode a Citi Bike to Immaculate Conception Church on 29th Street in Astoria at about 1 p.m. on April 6, just after Sunday Mass ended, and shook the hand of the Rev. James Hughes.
He then allegedly told Hughes to “die” before entering the church, prosecutors said.
Once inside, Rodriguez walked up to the altar and allegedly knocked down a statue of the baby Jesus that belonged to a parishioner, causing it to fall to the ground and break into multiple pieces.
Rodriguez fled the church but returned three days later. Prosecutors said he again trespassed behind the altar, took the top of a glass water cruet and threw it at a praying parishioner, causing the top to shatter. It narrowly missed the victim.
A church employee flagged down police, at which point Rodriguez allegedly spit in the worker’s face.
“Houses of worship are sanctuaries in our communities and Jose Rodriguez allegedly violated that covenant by intentionally creating havoc in what is supposed to be a place of peace,” Katz said.
If convicted of the top count, Rodriguez could face a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.