New York woman charged with hate crime over ‘attack’ on Muslim driver

A New York woman is facing hate crime charges after allegedly pepper-spraying a Muslim Uber driver as he prayed, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office reported.

Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, was charged Monday with several hate crime charges for allegedly pepper-spraying a 45-year-old Uber driver as he began praying in Arabic, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office.

Court documents show Guilbeault leaned into the driver’s seat and sprayed him directly in the face, causing pain and a burning sensation. The incident took place on July 31 on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, near Central Park at East 65th Street and Lexington Avenue.

The driver, identified as Shohel Mahmud, called 911 after the incident, leading to Guilbeault’s arrest. She has since been formally charged in state Supreme Court and is scheduled to appear in court in January. Her attorney, Michael J. Alber, has not yet commented on the case.

“Jennifer Guilbeault is accused of assaulting a Muslim Uber driver while he was doing his job,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. “The victim is a hard-working New Yorker who should not be exposed to this kind of hate because of his identity. Manhattan is a place where everyone can live and work in peace.”

Guilbeault is charged with second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime and second-degree aggravated harassment. Manhattan’s Hate Crimes Unit is actively working to address bias-motivated violence, underscoring the city’s commitment to inclusivity and safety for all.