Westchester District Attorney Releases Details on Swastika Poster Suspect

by Ben Verde

Photo via Westchester District Attorney’s office

The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office released the name and mugshot of the Purchase student charged with Aggravated Assault for posting posters with Nazi imagery on the last night of Hanukkah this weekend.

Gunnar Hassard, an 18 year old Freshman from Oneonta, New York, was arraigned in Harrison Town Court on Tuesday. His bail was set at $5,000. Hassard's next court date is set for Jan. 8, 2019.

The district attorney claims that Hassard posted multiple flyers on the campus “frequented and utilized by members of the Jewish community…causing alarm, fear and annoyance to the members of the campus community during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.”

Chief of Police Dayton Tucker says that Hassard "will be going through the student conduct process," as he faces criminal charges. Other students accused of similar crimes in the past were expelled.

Hassard did not respond to a message sent to his Purchase email requesting comment.

UPDATE: Jan. 8, 2019, 11:17 a.m.

The Legal Aid attorney previously assigned to the case was relieved and turned the case over to a new attorney at Harrison Town Court. The Westchester District Attorney's Office has made no official offer as of yet. Hassard's next court appearance is Mar. 5.

UPDATE: March 5, 2019, 12:05 p.m.

Hassard's case was given a long adjournment to April 30. During this time, Hassard is expected to discuss potential plea bargain offers with the District Attorney's Office while the defense continues to gather material.