UPDATE: State Police charge Jefferson County resident with felony hate crime

Published on September 19, 2024

NYSP

MOIRA- Local authorities are investigating a case in the North County that has resulted in a felony hate crime filed against a resident from Jefferson County.

Jonas W. Hobbs, 19, of Mannsville, NY was arrested Wednesday afternoon by the New York State Police. Hobbs is formally charged with one felony count of a hate crime/aggravated harassment in the second-degree (communicating a threat via phone and/or computer).

On September 17, 2024, State Police received a complaint from a victim who stated Hobbs was messaging them through Instagram, making homophobic slurs and homicidal threats, and also sent a photo of what appeared to be a firearm.

According to Troopers, the arrest stems from complaints filed on Tuesday in the town of Moira, Franklin County.

Hobbs was transported to Jefferson County CAP Court for Centralized Arraignment and held at Jefferson County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond.

New York State Police executed a search warrant at Hobbs’ residence but did not locate a firearm. Troopers filed a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection order under the state’s Red Flag Law with the Jefferson County Supreme Court.

There were no further details provided to report.

NYSP image.

***NOTE: This publication was updated with new information as of 11:53 a.m. Thursday, September 19, 2024.