Man claims he’s ‘just an artist’ after defacing NYC synagogues

A New York City man is claiming he is “just an artist” after he was indicted Tuesday for allegedly defacing three synagogues and a Jewish volunteer ambulance with antisemitic graffiti.

Lenny De La Rosa, 21, was indicted in the Manhattan Supreme Court on four counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree as a hate crime following his alleged actions over a 48-hour span in mid-August, according to a report.

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De La Rosa pleaded not guilty, but he faces up to four years if he is convicted.

His alleged graffiti spree began at roughly 7 p.m. on Aug. 12 when he first wrote “JESUS SAINTZZZ” on the front of the Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun synagogue, the report noted.

He then wrote “DEAD RIIP” on the front of the Temple Shaaray Tefila, “Dead Rip” on the side of a Hatzalah ambulance, and “Dead B-P” on the side of Congregation Or Zarua on Aug. 14, according to a complaint filed in court.

When confronted with photos and videos of the actions, De La Rosa did not deny that he was responsible.

“That’s me. That’s my work,” he said.

“As alleged, Lenny De La Rosa defaced three synagogues and an ambulance in a series of antisemitic acts,” a statement from District Attorney Alvin Bragg read.

“Synagogues are sacred places where everyone should be able to practice their faith safely. We will not allow our houses of worship to be violated by hateful acts and we do not tolerate bias and antisemitism.”

When a New York Post photographer pressed him about his motives, De La Rosa claimed he was simply an “artist,” according to the report.

“Can you stop harassing me?” he said. “I’m just an artist. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Can you stop recording me?”

De La Rosa also told authorities that he has no ill will toward Jews.

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“To be honest, I didn’t choose it, Islam chose me,” he said. “To be honest, when I was growing up, all of my friends were Muslim, so that’s kinda that. I also had a lot of friends from Columbia University and they were Jewish. Don’t get me wrong, I had Jewish friends.”

“I am not going to sit here and say I hate Jewish people because I am black. … Nah bro, I like Jewish people. Trust me, bro.”