RNA - The Bayonne man charged with spray-painting anti-Muslim graffiti and writing "Donald Trump" on a church building used by the local Muslim community was sentenced to 12 months probation today.
As a condition of his sentence, Jonathon Hussey, 20, of West 27th Street, wrote a letter of apology to the St. Henry's Church pastor and to the administrator of the Muslim community center that uses the parish school.
"In the letter he states that he didn't fully comprehend the consequences of his action and he now does," Hussey's attorney, Daniel Welsh, said after the sentencing this morning before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale.
The attorney added: "He is getting treatment for alcohol use and he is very grateful for the forgiveness of the administrator of the Muslim association and the pastor of the church."
Hussey was charged with writing crude phrases such as "F--- Muslims" and "F--- Arabs" and the name of President-elect Donald Trump sometime overnight between Oct. 13 and Oct. 14 on the closed St. Henry School building at Avenue C and 27th Street, where the Muslim community leases space.
On Dec. 2 Hussey pleaded guilty to the disorderly persons charge of criminal mischief. As part of the deal, the charges of bias intimidation and criminal trespassing were dropped. If he completes his term of probation successfully, the criminal mischief charges will not remain on his record.
The graffiti was discovered just before 7 a.m. on Oct. 14 by members of the Muslim community who had arrived at the building for morning prayers. Hussey was arrested that day after being identified by a witness and surveillance camera footage from nearby buildings, police said.
Following the plea hearing, Welsh said "It ended up, actually, being a teaching moment because he realized how wrong he was and was very appreciative because the administrator of the Muslim center has been very forgiving and open-minded about the situation."
Hussey did not speak at today's hearing held in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City.
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