Federal Prosecutors Charge Man with Damaging Revered Jewish Site
Federal prosecutors have charged a man with intentionally damaging religious property after he allegedly drove his car into the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters in Brooklyn. Dan Sohail, 36, is accused of ramming his vehicle into the building at least five times in January, causing damage to the entrance but no injuries.
Details of the Incident and Charges
According to the federal complaint unsealed on Monday, Sohail was seen removing blockades and clearing snow from a sidewalk before repeatedly driving into the headquarters. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison if the damage exceeds $5,000. Sohail was initially arrested by New York City police at the scene and faced multiple hate crime charges from state prosecutors.
Defendant's Background and Mental Health Concerns
Sohail's father told The Daily News that his son suffers from "mental problems" but maintained "a very good friendship, relationship with the Jews." Several individuals close to Sohail, including family members and Chabad rabbis, stated he did not appear to harbor hatred toward Jews and had expressed interest in converting to Judaism.
Weeks before the incident, Sohail attended a social gathering at the Chabad headquarters, where police video showed him dancing with Orthodox men. He later told officials he recently learned of his Jewish heritage and was invited to the headquarters to learn more about religious traditions.
Legal Proceedings and Historical Context
Sohail was temporarily released from jail on Monday to U.S. Marshals custody for his federal court appearance, where he was arraigned. His next hearing in the state case is scheduled for March 31. The crash occurred on the 75th anniversary of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson becoming leader of the Lubavitch movement, prompting immediate concern in the city.
The Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters has maintained a near-constant police presence for years. The site was central to the Crown Heights riots in 1991 and was the location of a 2014 stabbing attack where a disturbed man wounded a rabbinical student before being shot dead by police.
An attorney for Sohail did not immediately return a request for comment, and a Chabad spokesperson did not respond to inquiries about the federal charges. Sohail initially claimed his "clunky boots" caused him to lose control of the vehicle, according to police reports.
