MAN CHARGED WITH HATE CRIME OFFENCES AGAINST JEWISH BUSINESSWOMAN

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Thursday, April 24, 2014

New Mexico Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Threats Against Businesswoman

A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against John W. Ng, 58, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, charging him with hate crime offenses related to anti-Semitic threats he made against a Jewish woman who owns and operates the Nosh Jewish Delicatessen and Bakery in Albuquerque.

Ng was arrested by the FBI on March 7, 2014, based on a criminal complaint alleging that he interfered with the victim’s federally protected rights by threatening the victim and interfering with her business because of her religion and because she owned a Jewish restaurant.  According to the indictment, on Jan. 22, 2014, and Feb. 8, 2014, Ng allegedly posted threatening, anti-Semitic notes on the door of the victim’s business.  One of the notes allegedly read, “TO: The [racial slur] who should die.”  Another allegedly read, “FROM:  The one you scarred for life scumbags [;] TO: The [racial slur] who will die like rats.”

Ng was arrested by the FBI on March 7, 2014.  He remains in federal custody pending completion of a psychiatric competency and dangerousness examination.
An indictment merely establishes probable cause, and Ng is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.  Each count carries a maximum statutory penalty of one year in prison.

This matter was investigated by the Albuquerque Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and Trial Attorney Angie Cha of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.