Passaic County authorities announced that charges have been filed against Mr. Edward Wright, 57, of Paterson.
Authorities said Wright was charged on February 22, by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, with one count of Simple Assault, a Disorderly Persons Offense and one count of Bias Intimidation, a crime of the Fourth Degree.
The charges allege that on December 23, 2021, Mr. Wright entered the Islamic Congregation of North Jersey, located in Paterson, and pushed an assistant Imam while demanding he discontinues the call for prayer.
Disorderly Persons Offenses carry a maximum of one hundred eighty (180) days in the County Jail.
Crimes of the Fourth Degree carry a maximum of eighteen (18) months in New Jersey State Prison.
The charges were placed on a complaint-summons.
This investigation remains ongoing.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office at 973-389-5900.
Any inquiries may be directed to Passaic County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Vivian Khalil. She can be reached at (973) 837-7705 or vkhalil@passaiccountynj.org.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.
Despite these accusations, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.