On Monday, the federal court in Brooklyn publicly released an indictment accusing a New York hate crime suspect of “intentional destruction of a religious place”；if convicted, the defendant would face three years of imprisonment.
According to official information from the U.S. Department of Justice, a New Jersey man named Dan Sohail was arrested on Monday and appeared in front of Judge Clay H. Kaminsky in the afternoon.
The indictment stated that on the evening of January 28, Sohail drove to the famous Jewish organization “Chabad-Lubavitch movement” headquarters located at 770 Eastern Parkway in the Crown Heights area of Brooklyn, New York. That evening, the Chabad headquarters was hosting an event commemorating the anniversary of a prominent figure in the movement, with dozens of people in attendance.
After arriving at the building’s side entrance, Sohail exited his car and moved aside the barriers set up to protect the building (including the Jewish synagogue and religious gathering place). He gestured for several congregants to leave, then returned to his car, rammed into the building’s side entrance. He then reversed and accelerated, hitting the side entrance four more times, causing the door to fall off. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.
The Chabad headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway is the world headquarters of Chabad Jews, often hosting traditional Jewish events and promoting Jewish values.
The 36-year-old Sohail is facing hate crime charges in New York state for his actions in January.
“Americans should have the right to freely practice their religion without the fear of their sacred places being desecrated,” Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated in a release. “The Department of Justice will not tolerate attacks on religious places and will aggressively prosecute offenders.”
Federal prosecutor Joseph Nocella in the Eastern District of New York stated, “This office will not tolerate any acts that endanger the safety of this community or any other diverse community. We will continue to protect places of religious worship to ensure worshipers can assemble safely.”
“Every New Yorker should live in a safe city where they can freely and fearlessly practice their faith,” said Jessica Tisch, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department. “The Chabad World Headquarters in Brooklyn is a sacred place for many Jewish people in New York City and around the world; intentionally damaging this building is unacceptable.”
According to the indictment, if convicted, the defendant could face up to three years in prison.
The New York City Council is currently pushing for stricter measures against hate crimes. Last week, the Council held a public hearing on a bill to establish buffer zones around religious places to prevent protesters from getting too close, demonstrating the city’s determination to combat all forms of hate crimes.