Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Federal authorities announced on May 7 the unsealing of an indictment charging Shorai Moore, a Bronx resident, with committing a hate crime for allegedly assaulting a gay man on April 1, 2026. Moore was arrested in the morning and is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo later in the day. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.
The indictment alleges that Moore, who was serving a federal sentence for narcotics trafficking at a residential reentry center in the Bronx, attacked a victim outside a local deli after shouting anti-gay slurs and telling gay people to “get off the block.” The attack reportedly involved Moore using his fist, as well as objects including a recycling bin and plastic crate.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said, “All New Yorkers deserve to live in their communities free from hate-fueled violence. Hate undermines all that we hold dear in New York, including providing opportunity to all. No one should be targeted because of their sexual orientation. This Office, working with our state and federal law enforcement partners, will always protect New Yorkers from hateful, violent crimes.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr., commented: “This alleged assault traumatized an innocent victim due to his sexual orientation. The FBI’s Hate Crimes Task Force is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities against violence driven by hate.” NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: “This defendant—who was already serving a federal sentence at a residential reentry facility—violently attacked a gay man based on the victim’s sexual orientation. Bias-motivated crimes tear at the fabric of society, and the NYPD will never tolerate hate of any kind in our city.”
Moore faces one count of committing a hate crime carrying up to ten years in prison if convicted; however, sentencing decisions are made by the judge presiding over the case.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Jones and Madison Reddick Smyser from the Civil Rights and Human Trafficking Unit within the Criminal Division of the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Authorities emphasized that charges contained in an indictment are accusations only; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
