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Pittsburgh Area Residents Charged with Vandalizing Jewish Building
Two residents of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area have been indicted for vandalizing a Jewish building, leaving a community shaken and outraged.
Mohamad Hamad, 23, of Coraopolis, and Talya A. Lubit, 24, of Pittsburgh, are accused of conspiring to commit a civil rights violation involving damage to religious real property. The two were previously charged and arrested on a criminal complaint.
According to the indictment, from in and around July 2024 through July 29, 2024, Hamad and Lubit conspired to deface the religious real property of Chabad of Squirrel Hill, a synagogue building, because of the racial and ethnic characteristics of the Jewish individuals associated with Chabad.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Hamad and Lubit were released on $50,000 unsecured bonds and are required to remain under home detention, abide by computer monitoring, refrain from using encrypted messaging applications, and not possess, view, access, or use material that reflects extremist or terroristic views without permission.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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