A Brooklyn man has been indicted on hate crime charges after allegedly hitting a 12-year-old boy with a belt and calling him “gay” at a Lower East Side playground earlier this year.
The indictment alleges that Kevin Maxwell, 37, approached a child who was playing with friends at a playground in the NYCHA Bernard M. Baruch Houses on April 29. It says Maxwell told the boy he should be more mindful of his property to keep it from getting stolen, but that when the child didn’t reply — instead humming and singing to himself — Maxwell called him “stupid” and made an anti-gay remark.
Prosecutors say Maxwell then went to a nearby building, came back with a belt, and struck the 12-year-old while calling him “gay,” lacerating the boy’s shoulder. Police arrested Maxwell in connection with the incident on July 5, weeks after he published a sketch of a suspect and asked the public for help identifying him.
The indictment, announced Thursday, charges Maxwell with assault in the second degree as a hate crime, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, assault in the third degree as a hate crime, endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated harassment in the second degree.
“Hate crimes undermine the values of dignity, safety and inclusion that define our city,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. “As alleged, Kevin Maxwell violently attacked an innocent and vulnerable child — a stranger — while directing hateful language at him.
“Every child deserves to feel safe in our parks and other shared spaces, and we are dedicated to protecting New Yorkers by using every tool available to hold those who commit bias-motivated attacks accountable.”
Maxwell is represented by the Legal Aid Society, according to city records. The organization declined to comment on the charges.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges at an arraignment Thursday, according to city records.
This story has been updated with more information.
