Alleged N.J. Synagogue Attacker Facing New Charges

(JTA) -- The 19-year-old man charged in attacks on two northern New Jersey synagogues allegedly planned to attack another nearby synagogue.

Anthony Graziano of Lodi, N.J., who has pleaded not guilty to the two attacks, allegedly hid Molotov cocktails and a bicycle in the woods near the Jewish Community Center of Paramus with plans for an attack on Jan. 7.

The Bergen County prosecutor on Jan. 27 added charges of aggravated arson and bias intimidation for the planned attack.

Graziano is being held on $5 million bail after being arrested Jan. 24 in connection with the Jan. 11 firebomb attack on a synagogue and residence in Rutherford and the Jan. 3 arson attack on a different synagogue in Paramus.

He has been charged with nine counts of first-degree attempted murder in the Rutherford attack, as well as one count each of bias intimidation and aggravated arson. Rabbi Nosson Schuman of Congregation Beth El, who lives with his family in the synagogue residence, was injured in the attack.

In the Paramus attack on Congregation K'Hal Adath Jeshurun, Graziano was charged with aggravated arson and bias intimidation, as well as third-degree arson.

If convicted on all charges, he could be sentenced to up to 95 years in prison.