Story by Ethan
On April 30th, 2025, the arrest of Jose Rodriguez, age 38, was announced by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Jose Rodriguez was charged with three counts of second-degree Aggravated Harassment, second-degree Assault, third-degree Burglary, and two counts of fourth-degree Criminal Mischief. The arrest and charges against Jose Rodriguez were a result of an investigation handled by the NYPD and the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, at approximately 1:00 p.m. on April 6th, 2025, Jose Rodriguez arrived at the Immaculate Conception Church on 29th Street in Astoria, New York, via Citi Bike. The defendant stood outside the front of the church shortly after Sunday Mass ended when he conversed with Rev. James Hughes. The two of them shook hands before Jose Rodriguez allegedly in essence told the reverend to “Die”. The defendant then walked inside the church building and allegedly knocked over a statue of baby Jesus that was the property of a parishioner. The statue shattered upon hitting the ground as Jose Rodriguez fled from the scene. The defendant returned to the church at approximately 1:00 p.m. on April 9th, 2025, and allegedly trespassed behind the altar to grab the top of a water cruet. Jose Rodriguez then allegedly threw the water cruet top at a parishioner while he was praying, only barely missing hitting him and shattering upon hitting the floor. The defendant proceeded to allegedly spit in the face of the parishioner before running out of the church. Church employees quickly flagged down police to report Jose Rodriguez after he fled.
TheQueens District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Jose Rodriguez are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
