The 23-year-old woman arrested this summer for pepper spraying an Uber driver has been indicted on multiple ‘assault as a hate crime’ charges.
Jennifer Guilbeault pepper sprayed 45-year-old Shohel Mahmud at around midnight on July 31.
According to an October 28 press release from the office of Manhattan DA Bragg, the driver started praying in Arabic as he approached a red light near 65th and Lexington Avenue. Guilbeault then lunged forward and sprayed him in the face, “causing burning, redness and pain,” which Mahmud told ABC7 lasted two hours.
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Mahmud called 911 and Guilbeault was arrested at the scene.
“As alleged, Jennifer Guilbeault senselessly assaulted a Muslim Uber driver while he was just doing his job,” said District Attorney Bragg. “The victim is a hardworking New Yorker who should not have to face this type of hate because of his identity. Everyone is welcome to live and work in Manhattan, and our Hate Crimes Unit will continue to address bias-motivated attacks by thoroughly investigating and prosecuting cases, conducting community outreach, and supporting victims.”
At the time of the incident, Mahmud told the NY Post that the attack was completely unprovoked, and dash cam footage showed Guilbeault’s friend trying to hold her back. Uber also said they were banning Guilbeault from future rides.
Guilbeault is being charged with:
- Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a class C felony, one count
- Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, a class E felony, one count
- Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
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