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.