Theft of figurine, cemetery vandalism bring hate crime charges

Published: 2006-02-27

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CNS) -- Three New Jersey teenagers face hate crime charges in connection with the theft of a baby Jesus figurine from St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in the Metuchen Diocese and damage to the parish's cemetery. A Middlesex County grand jury returned an indictment charging Christopher Olson, 18, of South Amboy; Nicholas Hess, also 18, of Matawan; and Michael Payne, 19, of Old Bridge, with bias intimidation and conspiracy to commit bias intimidation, prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan announced Feb. 16. The suspects also were charged with criminal mischief and two counts of theft and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief. Olson also was charged with receiving stolen property. Hess and Payne face a total of 40 years in prison and $370,000 in fines if convicted on all charges. Olson faces 45 years in prison and $385,000 in fines. Two 15-year-olds from Old Bridge also faced charges of bias intimidation, theft, criminal mischief, harassment, desecration of venerated objects and tampering with a witness. Their names were not made public because they are minors.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .