Federal hate crimes charges filed against suspect in Hanukkah party stabbing in New York

MONSEY, N.Y. – Federal hate crimes charges were filed Monday against a man accused of stabbing five people with a machete at a Hanukkah party at a rabbi's home, an attack that left the Jewish community reeling.

The stabbing in Monsey follows a string of violence targeting Jewish people in the New York and New Jersey area in recent weeks, as well as an increase in nonviolent incidents of anti-Semitism throughout the region.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there were at least 13 incidents of anti-Semitism in the state in the past few weeks.

In addition to eight attacks in New York City over the past week, four people and two shooters were killed in an attack at a Jersey City kosher market this month.

Suspect held on $5 million bail: 5 stabbed in 'act of domestic terrorism' at Hanukkah party

Monsey was also the scene of an attack on Nov. 20 when a 30-year-old rabbi was stabbed on his way to a synagogue just before dawn.

Here is what we know now about the Monsey stabbings.

Suspect charged with hate crimes after handwritten journal found

A handwritten journal containing references to Jews and anti-Semitism was found in the home of Grafton E. Thomas, 37, who has been charged with federal hate crimes. Prosecutors said a blood-stained 18-inch machete and a knife smeared with dried blood and hair were recovered from his car

Thomas was held without bail after appearing in federal court in White Plains on five counts of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by attempting to kill with a dangerous weapon and causing injuries in the attack Saturday.

Thomas, his ankles shackled, shuffled into the courtroom in a prison jumpsuit, telling a judge who asked him if his head was clear that he was “not clear at all” and needed sleep. But he added: “I am coherent.”

His court-appointed attorney, Susanne Brody, said Thomas has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Family lawyer Michael Sussman said Thomas had been hearing voices and may have stopped taking psychiatric medications recently.

A criminal complaint said law enforcement agents recovered the journals from his residence in Greenwood Lake, New York, that included comments such as questioning "why ppl mourned for anti-Semitism when there is Semitic genocide" and a page with drawings of a Star of David and a swastika.

Internet searches on a phone recovered from his car included repeated searches for "Why did Hitler hate the Jews" as well as "German Jewish Temples near me" and "Prominent companies founded by Jews in America," the complaint said.

On Dec. 28, the phone's internet browser was used to access an article titled: “New York City Increases Police Presence in Jewish Neighborhoods After Possible Anti-Semitic Attacks. Here's What To Know,” the complaint said.

Suspect has 'long history of mental illness,' family says

Thomas pleaded not guilty Sunday morning to five counts of second-degree attempted intentional murder and one count of second-degree burglary. He is due back in court Friday unless he is indicted by a grand jury.

Officials believe Thomas acted alone, Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco said.

Thomas was taken into custody by the New York Police Department after a traffic stop in Harlem. Officials said his clothing was covered in blood and he smelled of bleach.

Through Sussman, Thomas' family issued a statement late Sunday evening confirming his history of mental illness and requesting that Sussman seek an immediate mental health evaluation.

“He has no known history of anti-Semitism and was raised in a home which embraced and respected all religions and races. He is not a member of any hate groups,” the statement said

Ramapo Police Chief Brad Weidel wouldn't speculate whether Thomas had any kind of relationship, connection or experiences with the Hasidic Jewish community in Ramapo. Authorities do not believe Thomas is connected to recent anti-Semitic incidents in New York City.

Victims' conditions unclear

Two of the victims were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital and three were taken to Westchester Medical Center. All had serious injuries, including a severed finger and deep lacerations.

Cuomo said the rabbi's son was among those injured and another person was in critical condition with a fractured skull.

'An act of domestic terrorism'

Cuomo called the stabbings "an act of domestic terrorism." He directed the New York State Police to increase patrols in Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods across the state "out of an abundance of caution," he said in a statement published on social media Sunday.

President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday afternoon referring to the stabbings as an "anti-Semitic attack." "We must all come together to fight, confront, and eradicate the evil scourge of anti-Semitism," he tweeted.

'Nothing is going to stop us': New York Jewish community rallies after anti-Semitic 'terrorism' attack

During a menorah lighting event in Des Moines, Iowa, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders also called out the series of hate crimes targeting religious and ethnic minorities throughout the U.S. Sanders, whose father escaped anti-Semitism in Poland in the 1920s, urged attendees to reject bigotry and divisiveness.

“What we are seeing right now – we’re seeing it in America and we’re seeing it all over the world – is a rise in anti-Semitism,” Sanders said during the ceremony. "If there was ever a time in American history where we say no to religious bigotry, now is the time. If there was ever a time where we say no to divisiveness, now is the moment.”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted that he directed the New Jersey State Police to increase security around synagogues and Jewish community centers. "Our hearts are with the people of Monsey in the wake of yesterday’s horrific attack," he tweeted.

Contributing: Jorge Ortiz, USA TODAY; Nick Coltrain, Des Moines Register; Beth Kalet and Rachel Ettlinger, Times Herald-Record; Associated Press.