Man Charged with Anti-Semitic Incidents in Newton

NEWTON – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Newton Chief of Police John Carmichael have confirmed that Alexei Rodriguez, 49, of Boston was arraigned in Newton District Court today and charged with defacing property, larceny under $1,200, damaging property to intimidate, two counts of assaulting to intimidate, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of a civil rights violation in connection with two separate incidents. 

On May 21, Newton Police responded to the Jewish Community Center for a report of a man tearing down ribbons from trees that lined the property. Police identified that man as Alexei Rodriguez.  They were also able to link him to a separate incident which is alleged to have occurred on April 30.

On that date, Rodriguez allegedly drove to Newton and used his vehicle to harass and intimidate two Jewish community members, who are minors, who were walking in the area.

Alexei Rodriguez was arrested and arraigned in Newton District Court today. Judge Queally set bail at $500, ordered him to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet with exclusion zones of the victims’ homes and the Jewish Community Center, to stay away from, not contact and not abuse the victims and to stay away from synagogues in Newton.

These incidents were investigated by the Newton Police in collaboration with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The Assistant District Attorney assigned to this case is Sheba Treworgy. The Victim Witness Advocate is Geogianna Carney.