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Selden teen accused of attacking Hispanic men arraigned on new hate crime charges

Christopher Cella’s attorney told the court that the suspect is suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse.

News 12 Staff

Oct 12, 2021, 10:37 AM

Updated 1,220 days ago

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A Selden teen accused of luring and attacking Hispanic men was arraigned Tuesday on new hate crime charges, according to court documents.
Investigators say 19-year-old Christopher Cella attacked three Hispanic men ranging from the ages of 47 to 60 years old within 24 hours last month.
Police say Cella brought the men by car to abandoned construction sites in Farmingville with the promise of work and then attacked them.
The three men suffered minor injuries but were able to escape.
Prosecutors say the three different attacks included abduction, assault and one victim was strangled.
Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini says the victims were looking for work but were abducted and attacked by the defendant on his own admission because they were Hispanic.
Cella allegedly told law enforcement that he “wanted to do this to Spanish guys.”
Cella’s attorney told the court that the suspect is suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse.
In court it was revealed that Cella was out on bail on pending weapon charges for walking out on the street in Brooklyn with a loaded pistol.
He was held on $75,000 bail and is due back in court on Nov. 5.
Cella faces additional charges including strangulation and assault, according to court documents.