New York: Woman Pleads Guilty After Attack on Muslim Driver

IQNA – A woman from New York has admitted to a charge of aggravated harassment following an incident in which she pepper-sprayed her Muslim Uber driver while he was praying, according to court documents reviewed by The National.

Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, was accused of spraying Shohel Mahmud, 45, in the face during a ride in July last year.

Court records indicate the altercation occurred while Mahmud was stopped at a red light and began reciting a prayer in Arabic. Guilbeault, who was in the back seat with another passenger, leaned forward and discharged the spray.

Video footage shared by ABC7 showed the moment Mahmud reacted in pain, and captured Guilbeault saying, “Get him out,” to her companion. The other passenger appeared visibly alarmed and questioned her actions.

In court proceedings, Guilbeault was ordered to complete multiple programs along with 100 hours of community service.

She had initially faced hate crime charges, which under U.S. law apply when a criminal act is motivated by bias against race, religion, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. Such charges typically carry heightened penalties, though they can be challenging to prove.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg previously said his office is committed to addressing bias-related offenses through thorough investigations and victim support.

Guilbeault’s lawyer, Michael Alber, had earlier stated that the case must be assessed in full context, claiming his client was not driven by prejudice and that “a rush to judgment” would be detrimental to all parties involved. He has not issued further comment following her guilty plea.

Despite the incident, Mahmud later told the New York Post that he chose to forgive Guilbeault, citing his faith and expressing a desire that she not face imprisonment.

Source: Agencies