White Plains, NY – Suspects in Synagogue Bomb Plot Denied Bail

White Plains, NY – Three of four men arrested in an alleged plot to bomb a New York synagogue and Jewish community center were ordered held without bail today.

A fourth suspect received medical treatment this morning and did not appear at the court hearing. His initial hearing was scheduled for later in the day.

All four suspects are accused of plotting to detonate explosives near two synagogues in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, New York. The men also wanted to fire surface-to-air missiles at U.S. military planes, authorities said.

At today’s hearing, James Cromitie, David Williams and Onta Williams shook their heads as prosecutors asked U.S. Magistrate Lisa Smith to order them held without bail.

Prosecutor Eric Snyder described the suspects as men eager to cause harm and “bring death to Jews.”

Smith ordered the three to remain in custody without bail until their next court appearance on June 5. Smith also approved a request by Cromitie, the alleged ringleader, for medical care for cuts he said he received from flying glass during the arrest. After the hearing, the lawyer for Cromitie, Vincent Briccetti, declined to comment on the case.

Cromitie, David Williams and Onta Williams are U.S. citizens, while the fourth suspect, Laguerre Payen, is a Haitian, according to the New York governor’s office.