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Albany County deputies have arrested Novel Carter Jr., a 23-year-old from Troy in connection with a hate crime. The incident occurred on January 5 when an Albany County employee, identifiable as Jewish by his yarmulke, was walking on North Pearl Street. Carter allegedly threatened to shoot and kill the employee while using antisemitic slurs.
According to the Times Union, Carter stopped his vehicle abruptly, exited, and acted as if he had a weapon, although no weapon was found. The Albany County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Carter and the victim did not know each other.
Carter was arrested on January 13 and charged with second-degree aggravated harassment as a hate crime and third-degree menacing as a hate crime. He was held in the Albany County Correctional Facility before his arraignment in Albany City Criminal Court on January 14, as reported by Spectrum Local News.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about antisemitic incidents in the area. Sheriff Craig D. Apple Sr. emphasized the seriousness of the charges and the commitment to addressing hate crimes in Albany County. CBS6 Albany reported that Carter was detained as a pre-arraignment detainee.