Man Arrested for Painting Swastikas on Graves in Ellenville Cemetery
BY: Boropark24 staff
The Fantinekill Cemetery, located in the town of Wawarsing, is about 300 years old.
On Monday, Ulster County Police arrested Joseph Pilgrene of Ellenville for allegedly spray-painting swastikas and other graffiti on tombstones in the cemetery.
While the cemetery is not a Jewish cemetery, there does seem to be some Jewish burials there, as this area once teemed with many Jewish immigrants who engaged in farming.
The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. on Monday, and deputies responded to a call alerting them to the perpetrator.
Pilgrene faces several charges, including criminal mischief and a hate crime, cemetery desecration in the first degree, and several misdemeanors.
He was taken into custody and later released with orders to appear before a judge at a later date