Two Lodi men were sentenced to 35 years in state prison Friday on
terrorism and other charges for a string
of crimes at Jewish facilities in Bergen County where they spray painted
antisemitic messages and threw Molotov cocktails.
Anthony Graziano and Aakash Dalal, both 25, showed no emotion when Judge
Joseph Isabella ordered them to serve 32 years on the terrorism charge and a
consecutive 36 months on bias intimidation charges. The sentences for other
charges will run concurrently.
This is the first case in which the state’s post-9/11 terrorism statute
was used. It mandates a prison term of 30 years to life.
During Friday’s sentencing, Graziano addressed the court, telling
Isabella that his views against Jews were wrong.
“I’m sorry for what my actions caused,” Graziano said.
“The way I chose to express myself with violence was wrong … The hatred
I had for the Jewish faith was unacceptable. I hope the Jewish community can
find peace after tragedy.”
Graziano’s mother also tearfully spoke, apologizing to the Jewish
community.
“I’m so, so sorry for my son’s actions,” Denise Rivas said.
“This is not the boy I raised.”
Rivas said her pizza and baseball-loving son sought the help of Dalal,
his former schoolmate, with a math course he was taking at Bergen Community
College.
