A New Jersey man, Dan Sohail, 36, was sentenced to six months and one week in prison for ramming his car into the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in New York City in January. The incident damaged the building's side entrance but resulted in no injuries. Sohail, who has already served six months in custody, is expected to be released in about a week.
Sohail pleaded guilty in May to intentionally damaging religious property. Prosecutors had sought a 14-month sentence, citing a rise in antisemitic hate crimes and the need for deterrence. However, Judge Eric N. Vitaliano rejected the request, expressing concern that the Justice Department's argument was influenced by the initial public perception that the attack was a hate crime.
According to court documents, Sohail repeatedly rammed his vehicle into the building's side entrance, knocking the door off its hinges and destroying his car's front bumper. His lawyer stated that Sohail was struggling with psychological issues and was attempting to gain acceptance.
Prosecutors noted that 80 of 146 hate crime incidents in New York City since the start of the year targeted Jewish people and institutions. The judge's decision to impose a shorter sentence was based on the lack of evidence supporting a hate crime motive.