Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
A New Jersey man has been charged with federal hate crimes for allegedly assaulting Jewish individuals in Manhattan. The indictment against Alazim Baker was unsealed by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Terence G. Reilly. Baker was arrested on January 21, 2026, and is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. The case will be overseen by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.
“As alleged, Alazim Baker deliberately targeted Jewish victims with violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Violence motivated by antisemitism or any other anti-faith bias has no place in this great city. Our collective strength as a city is the result of mutual respect for each other’s beliefs and rule of law. The women and men of our Office are dedicated to protecting life, property and faith.”
“Alazim Baker allegedly committed despicable hate crimes against multiple members of the Jewish community,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Terence G. Reilly. “Hate crimes like those in this indictment tear at the fabric of our communities. The FBI remains dedicated to holding perpetrators of these offenses accountable to deliver justice for victims and reaffirm to the American people that targeted violence will not be tolerated.”
According to court documents, on October 27, 2025, Baker confronted a visiting Israeli rabbi near a kosher restaurant in Manhattan, repeatedly questioning him about his religion and preventing him from entering the restaurant. Baker then took the rabbi’s yarmulke, threw it on the ground, stomped on it, spit on it, and punched the rabbi in the face—causing injuries including bruises and a brain bleed.
Baker also directed antisemitic remarks at two others who tried to help the first victim—both wearing yarmulkes—and assaulted one of them by punching him in the head, resulting in pain and swelling. A third individual reported seeing brass knuckles on Baker’s hand while trying to evade him; that person sustained leg injuries after colliding with an object during the incident.
Baker faces two counts of committing hate crimes, each carrying a maximum sentence of ten years in prison if convicted; sentencing decisions will ultimately be made by a judge.
U.S. Attorney Clayton commended investigative efforts by the FBI and acknowledged support from local law enforcement agencies including the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, New York City Police Department, and Port Authority Police Department.
The prosecution is being managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Emily A. Johnson from the Civil Rights and Human Trafficking Unit within the Criminal Division.
The charges remain allegations at this stage; Baker is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
