(CNN) — A New York woman has been indicted on hate crime charges after allegedly pepper-spraying a Muslim Uber driver while he was praying, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, was indicted on multiple hate crime charges on Monday after allegedly pepper-spraying a 45-year-old Uber driver while he began praying in Arabic, according to a press release from the prosecutor.
Guilbeault lunged forward toward the driver’s seat and sprayed his face with pepper spray, inflicting pain and burning sensations, as the driver started praying, officials said, citing court documents and statements made in court. The attack occurred on July 31 on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, near Central Park — the intersection of East 65th Street and Lexington Avenue, the release says.
Mahmud subsequently called 911 and Guilbeault was arrested. She has been formally charged by the state Supreme Court, and is set to return for a court appearance in January. Her attorney, Michael J. …