3 charged with hate crime in vandalization of Waterport mosque

WATERPORT – Three people who allegedly burnt a shape of two crosses into the lawn of a mosque in Waterport will be arraigned in Carlton Town Court today at 4:30 p.m., Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

The individuals allegedly entered the mosque property on Fuller Road last Thursday at approximately 9:30 p.m. They used an ignitable fluid and set fire on the lawn in the form of two crosses, Cardone said.

They will face charges of criminal mischief in the fourth degree as a hate crime; aggravated harassment in the first degree; arson in the fifth degree; interference with religious worship in the second degree; and trespass.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has charged Jarod Biemans, 20, of Gaines with the crimes, as well as two others, ages 17 and 18. Because of their potential as youthful offenders, the district attorney and Sheriff’s Office aren’t releasing their names.

All three are to be arraigned in Carlton Town Court by Justice Kevin Hurley. All three are expected to be released to the custody of their parents. There will also be orders of protection issued for the three to stay away from the mosque and avoid contact with members of the World Sufi Foundation.