Suffolk Attorney Trespassed At Melville Islamic Center, Harrassed Employee: DA

MELVILLE, NY — A man was arrested after he trespassed and harassed members at a Melville mosque on Wednesday, Suffolk police said.

Jordan Endler, 46, of East Northport, went to the Islamic Center of Melville, at 118 East Old Neck Road, around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, where he made statements regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, police said.

Endler, an attorney based in Suffolk County, began questioning the employee who opened the door, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office stated. Endler then asked the employee to come inside the mosque, and the employee let him in, the DA said. Once inside, Endler began harassing the employee, officials said.

The employee asked Endler to leave the center, but Endler refused, began yelling at the
employee, and stayed inside the building until police arrived, the DA said.

Endler was arrested at his home at 7:53 p.m. Thursday after an investigation by Hate Crimes Unit detectives, police said. He was charged with third-degree criminal trespass and second-degree harassment.

"I want to remind everyone that no matter what else is going on in the world, here in Suffolk County, we will not tolerate bias or hate," Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney stated in a news release. "I want to thank the Muslim community for alerting us to this incident, so that detectives from our office and the Suffolk County Police Department's Hate Crimes Unit can continue to investigate it. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that all Suffolk County residents feel safe in their houses of worship, regardless of their faith."

Endler was released on his own recognizance, though the judge issued an order of protection for the employee at the request of the District Attorney’s office. Under current New York state law, the offenses Endler was charged with are considered non-bail eligible, the DA's Office wrote.

Endler is due back in court on April 3, 2024, and he is being represented by Bob Curran.