A man accused of an antisemitic attack in Ponta Vedra Beach nearly two years ago is expected to be sentenced Friday.
Noah Amato was 17 years old during the attack in 2022.
Deputies say he hit another teenager in the face and fired a gun near the other boy’s head.
There are other crimes Amato is accused of beyond that one case.
Amato is charged with running from deputies in a separate incident in July 2023.
Amato pleaded “no contest” to two charges and will face a judge Friday morning to be sentenced.
According to an arrest report from Oct. 17, 2022, Amato is accused of riding a bike with a friend in Ponta Vedra Beach while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
According to the report, deputies say Amato shouted a slur at a group of four Jewish teenagers who were out celebrating the Jewish holiday, Sukkot.
The report says Amato hit one of the teenagers with a handgun in the face, pointed the gun at him and fired it near the teenager’s head and then left the scene.
Amato’s attorney argues there was a verbal confrontation between Amato and the group.
His attorney claims the teenager who was hit with the gun was intoxicated and tried to get physical with Amato.
According to additional court documents, Amato was arrested in July 2023 after deputies said he was caught doing donuts and burnouts in a Publix parking lot and then driving away from deputies before they managed to stop him.
A sentencing memorandum shows that Amato entered an open plea in May 2024 to two charges of aggravated battery and carrying a concealed firearm. The open plea allows the judge to decide what his sentence will be.
Court records show that more than 30 letters have been sent to the judge, describing the impact Amato’s actions have had on the Jewish community.
However, because the people who sent the letters are not directly related to the case, the judge cannot consider them in the sentencing.
Amato’s uncle also submitted a letter asking the judge to consider the trauma the now 19-year-old has experienced in recent years.
The letter details Amato’s parent’s “tumultuous divorce” and the death of a different uncle.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled to start in St. Johns County at 9 a.m.
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Source: news4ajx
