NEW YORK (AP) — A man who repeatedly drove his car into the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters in New York City earlier this year pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges of intentionally damaging religious property.
Dan Sohail, 36, was previously arrested on state charges following the Jan. 28 incident, which damaged an entrance of the revered Jewish site, but did not cause any injuries.
He appeared in federal court Monday to face the newly unsealed federal charges, wearing a yarmulke as he told a federal judge that he was in the process of converting to Judaism. His attorney, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, said Sohail denied his actions were “intentional in the manner described by the government.”
Federal prosecutors said Sohail directed congregants to move out of the way before striking the side of the building with his car five consecutive times. He later claimed he had lost control of the vehicle and pressed on the gas with his heavy boots.
Several people close to him — including family members and Chabad rabbis — have said Sohail did not seem to harbor any hatred toward Jews, and confirmed that he had expressed interest in converting to the religion.
Weeks before the incident, he had attended a social gathering at the Chabad headquarters, where he was seen on video dancing with Orthodox men, according to police.
Sohail’s father told The Daily News that his son suffered from “mental problems,” but had “a very good friendship, relationship with …