A 19-year-old Cornwall resident has pleaded guilty to charges of mischief under $5,000 and promoting hatred after defacing a local business with Nazi symbols and antisemitic phrases. The individual received a conditional discharge, mandating community service and probation.
On September 12, 2024, Cornwall Police responded to reports of graffiti on an Adolphus Street business. Officers discovered spray-painted images, including a Nazi flag and hateful language targeting Jewish individuals. Following an investigation, the Cornwall Police Service’s hate crime unit arrested the 19-year-old on October 4, 2024.
The individual was charged with mischief under $5,000 and counseling to commit an indictable offense of uttering threats to kill Jewish people. After pleading guilty, the court granted a conditional discharge, requiring the completion of community service hours and adherence to probation terms.
A 15-year-old youth was also charged in connection with the incident, facing counts of mischief under $5,000 and failure to comply with a probation order. Due to provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the youth’s identity remains protected.
“This type of behavior has no place in our society,” stated Staff Sergeant Tracey Pilon of the Criminal Investigation Division. “We are hopeful that more members of our community will continue to feel comfortable reporting such incidents.”
Community leaders have expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance against hate-motivated crimes. The Cornwall Police Service encourages residents to report any hate crimes or incidents, which can now be reported online.