PEARL RIVER, NY -- A 24-year-old Pearl River man has been arrested after making harassing and anti-Semitic telephone calls two synagogues and a Jewish community center, according to local police.
The calls, police said, made direct reference to the on-going conflict in Gaza, where Israel has retaliated with military action after Israel was hit by rocket fire from militants in Gaza. The calls, police said, blamed Israel for the violence in Gaza.
James Schroeter, 24, of Pearl River was arrested at his home on Friday after Clarkstown police detectives were able to trace calls that were made to Temple Beth Torah and Congregation Sons of Israel, both in Upper Nyack, and JCC Rockland in West Nyack.
Police said no threats of violence were made and there does not appear to be any specific reason why calls were made to the two temples and the community center other than their religious affiliation.
Harassing calls started at about 1:15 p.m. on Friday. Police said the calls included a number of anti-Semitic statements as well as anti-Israel statements that also include blaming Israel for the on-going violence in Gaza.
Police said there were no incidents of vandalism or violence connected with the calls.
After his arrest, Schroeter was arraigned in Clarkstown Town Court in New City and he was ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City on $3,000 bail pending a hearing.
I totally agree with you that knowing the exact charges would definitely add a great deal of clarity to the article and all of the discussions, which follow. It would also help all of us understand the nature of the alleged offense, and I state it that way because thankfully we live in a country where one is innocent until proven guilty. My initial comment was in response to you determining which statute applied and that you were not sure that he "Actually violated it." With the meager facts on hand, it is impossible for anyone to make an adjudication of this man's guilt or innocence. However, a modicum of legal training is more than helpful, it is needed, to correctly understand and interpret our laws and legal system. People can always offer their opinions and interpretations of the law, it's done everyday, but accuracy and restraint are a whole other story. Respectfully, Berti
Better safe than sorry,enough blood has been spilled for lesser incidents.
Hi, I think that you entirely misread my statement, if fact, I said the reverse of what you read into it. I absolutely agree that the U.S.Constitution belongs to all of us, which is why I stated that none of us can adjudicate this case w/o knowing the facts, what the accused is charged with, and, that we, all of us, to spell it out more fully, are innocent until proven guilty, even those charged with more heinous crimes than this such as rape, murder, arson, and, the like. To Mike, Hi again, if what the federal government did with Healthcare legislation were unconstitutional it would have been struck down by the Supreme Court of the U.S. - that's why there are 3 branches of the Federal Government to provide checks and balances. Any law can be challenged, in the present or in the future, as unconstitutional. Go for it, if you feel that you have standing (that's a legal determination not having to do with my opinion) to challenge it and a legitimate cause of action that hasn't already been decided on this issue. Wishing you all, even the haters, a Happy Thanksgiving, with wishes for Peace and Understanding in a troubled world!
I am reminded of a particularly funny episode of The Odd Couple on TV, where Felix was defending Oscar and himself in (coincidentally) court against charges after they were arrested when a police officer ASSUMED that they were ticket scalping when they were simply trying to give away their theater tickets. With his usual flourishes, Felix dissected the word "assume" on a blackboard as follows: ass/u/me. Enough said! And, no, I will neither confirm nor deny whether I am an attorney.
RE: Your comment: I don't judge anyone here who exercises their right to freedom of expression as "haters". I didn't think that you did! Take care, Berti