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