Brooklyn Man Charged with Hate Crimes for Allegedly Assaulting 12-Year-Old with a Belt

Brooklyn man charged with hate crimes for allegedly assaulting 12-year-old with a belt

Kevin Maxwell allegedly called the boy "gay" as he struck him.

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg brings another antigay hate crime case after beating of 12-year-old boy

A New York City man has been indicted on hate crime charges after prosecutors say he attacked a 12-year-old boy with a belt while repeatedly calling him gay at a Lower East Side playground.Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Thursday that Kevin Maxwell, 37, faces charges including second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime and endangering the welfare of a child. He was also charged with criminal pos…

Brooklyn man charged with hate crimes for hitting boy with belt in anti-gay attack in Manhattan

A 37-year-old Brooklyn man was indicted for allegedly hitting a 12-year-old boy with a belt in a disturbing homophobic attack on a playground in the Lower East Side earlier this year, prosecutors announced on Aug. 6. The Office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the boy was with friends at Baruch Playground at NYCHA's Bernard M. Baruch Houses at around 6 p.m. on April 29 when the alleged assailant, Kevin Maxwell, approached the boy …

D.A. Bragg: Man Indicted On Hate Crime Charges In Anti-Gay Attack On Child On Lower East Side – Manhattan District Attorney’s Office

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of KEVIN MAXWELL, 37, for allegedly assaulting a 12-year-old boy in an anti-gay attack at Baruch Playground on the Lower East Side in April 2026. MAXWELL is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, among other charges. [1] “Hate crimes undermine the values of dignity, safety and inclusion that define our city,” said District Attorney Bragg. “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.” As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record in court, on April 29, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the 12-year-old boy was with friends at Baruch Playground in the New York City Housing Authority’s Bernard M. Baruch Houses on the Lower East Side. MAXWELL approached the child and stated, in substance, that he should be mindful of his property to avoid it getting stolen. When the child did not respond and instead hummed and sang to himself, MAXWELL allegedly called the child “stupid” and made an anti-gay remark. Shortly after, MAXWELL left the playground and went to a nearby building. A few minutes later, MAXWELL returned carrying a belt. He approached the child and allegedly hit him with the belt, lacerating his shoulder. As further alleged, MAXWELL repeatedly called the child “gay” during the assault. MAXWELL was arrested on July 5, 2026. Assistant D.A. Stephanie Ritter (Trial Bureau 50) is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Constantine Coritsidis (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Senior Hate Crimes Investigative Analyst Caleb Brown, Trial Preparation Assistant Helen Zhang (Trial Bureau 50), and Assistant D.A. Samantha LiTrenta (Deputy Chief of the Child Abuse Bureau) are providing invaluable assistance in the prosecution of the case. D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Steven Acevedo of the Hate Crimes Task Force. Defendant Information: KEVIN MAXWELL Brooklyn, NY Charged:   Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a class C felony, one count Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, a class E felony, one count Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, one count Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count ### [1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.