Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Brendan Marchetti, 35, of Huntington, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, as a Hate Crime, and other related charges, for threatening to kill four Muslim men and then ramming his vehicle into theirs.
“Prosecuting hate crimes is essential to not only protect victims but to also uphold the values of tolerance and respect, especially for other people’s religions. It is unconscionable that my prosecutors cannot ask for bail on cases such as this due to ‘Bail Reform,’ especially where such violence is alleged,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Hate in any form has no place in Suffolk County, and those who perpetrate such acts will face the full force of the law.”
According to the investigation, on June 17, 2024, at approximately 9:00 a.m., four Muslim men dressed in traditional Muslim attire were in a car on their way to a mosque. The men’s vehicle came to stop at a red light at an intersection in Huntington. Marchetti was in the driver seat of a vehicle that was stopped at the same red light. Marchetti allegedly stated to the Muslim men, in sum and substance, that he wanted to kill all Muslims, that all Muslims should die, and that he wanted to blow them up. Marchetti then allegedly drove his vehicle into the side of their car, causing damage exceeding $1,500.
As the victims began to drive away to flee, Marchetti allegedly attempted to strike their car a second time. In fear for their lives, the victims immediately called 911 and reported Marchetti’s license plate to the police. Law enforcement located Marchetti and his vehicle at an auto body shop a short time later and transported him to a hospital for mental health treatment.
On July 17, 2024, Marchetti was arraigned on the following charges before District Court Judge Rosann Orlando:
- Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, as a Hate Crime, a Class C felony;
- Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, as a Hate Crime, a Class E felony; and
- Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, as a Hate Crime, a Class A misdemeanor.
All three charges that Marchetti faces are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning that prosecutors could not ask for bail, nor could a judge set bail at the time of arraignment. Thus, the District Attorney’s Office requested that Marchetti be placed on supervised released with GPS monitoring and mental health conditions. Judge Orlando ordered Marchetti to be placed on supervised released with mental health conditions. Marchetti is due back in court on July 24, 2024, and he is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tara O’Donnell of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Jack Balaguera of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Hate Crimes Unit.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.