Charges against 'Boro Park Sprayer': Officer accused of hate crimes

May 28, 2014   

New York District Attorney Ken Thompson announced that a 39-count indictment has been filed against the former police officer who sprayed graffiti in Borough Park. He is charged with hate crimes and vandalism. Thompson said that "hate crimes such as these are offensive and will not be tolerated in a civilized society, especially in Brooklyn, where we embrace diversity.". • Swastika and hate speech attack in Borough Park neighborhood • Suspect: former police officer The prosecutor's office identified the defendant as Michael Stiavan, 36, a former NYPD officer. He was arraigned last Friday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Daniel Chun via video link between the court and the psychiatric hospital, where the defendant has been under observation since his arrest on May 4, 2014. He was released on $75,000 bail, and his trial will continue this Friday. If convicted, Stiavan faces up to four years in prison on each of the hate crime counts. The district attorney said the indictment covers 15 different acts of vandalism, nine of which he was charged with as hate crimes. As you may recall, about a month ago, swastikas and graffiti were discovered spray-painted in many places in Borough Park. A 10-year-old boy who noticed the suspect's vehicle gave the number to the police, who arrested him the next day.