Federal authorities have charged a man with intentionally damaging religious property at the Chabad-Lubavitch movement global headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.
The complaint against Dan Sohail was unsealed earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn. Prosecutors say Sohail deliberately drove his vehicle into the building’s entrance multiple times. The building is widely known as the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, located on Eastern Parkway in the Crown Heights neighborhood.
Federal Charges Filed After Vehicle Ramming at Chabad Headquarters
Sohail was taken into federal custody and is scheduled to appear before United States Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky for arraignment.
The charge filed in the complaint accuses Sohail of intentionally damaging religious property. Under federal law, such an offense can carry serious consequences. If convicted, Sohail faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
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Authorities emphasized that the complaint is only an allegation at this stage. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
What Investigators Say Happened on January 28
According to the complaint, the incident took place on the evening of January 28. That night, the Chabad Headquarters was hosting a memorial event. Dozens of people had gathered inside the synagogue and surrounding religious spaces to mark the anniversary of the death of the movement’s leader.
Prosecutors allege that Sohail drove to the building’s side entrance during the event. The entrance had barriers set up for protection. These barriers were meant to safeguard the building, which includes a synagogue and other religious gathering areas.
Authorities say Sohail exited his vehicle and moved the protective barriers out of the way. He then gestured for people nearby to step aside.
After that, according to the complaint, Sohail returned to his vehicle and drove directly into the side entrance of the synagogue.
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Investigators allege that he reversed the vehicle and then accelerated into the same entrance four more times. In total, authorities say the vehicle struck the entrance five times.
The impact reportedly knocked the entrance door off its hinges. Photographs taken at the scene showed visible damage to the doorway area.
Despite the serious nature of the incident, officials confirmed that no one was injured. The building had been filled with attendees at the time, but no casualties were reported.
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the New York Police Department, responded to the scene and began investigating the incident.
Officials Condemn Attack on Religious Property
Federal and local officials strongly condemned the alleged act.
In response, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said Americans must be free to practice their faith without fear. She added that the Department of Justice will not tolerate attacks on houses of worship and will prosecute those responsible.
Similarly, U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Nocella for the Eastern District of New York described the alleged actions as dangerous. He said repeatedly driving a vehicle into a synagogue entrance put the community at risk and stressed that his office will continue protecting religious gathering spaces.
Meanwhile, James C. Barnacle, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, said the defendant allegedly rammed his vehicle into the Chabad Headquarters during a memorial service attended by many people. He noted that lives were put at risk and said the FBI and NYPD remain committed to safeguarding religious institutions.
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In addition, New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said every New Yorker deserves to practice their faith safely. She called the alleged damage to the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters unacceptable and thanked investigators for their swift response.
At the same time, the case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Human Trafficking and Civil Rights and General Crimes Sections. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Silverberg and Brachah Goykadosh are leading the prosecution. However, the defendant remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.