Spray Merica On Uber Muslim Driver, New York Woman Charged With Racial Crime

Uber illustration. (Unsplash/Viktor Avdeev)

JAKARTA - A New York woman, United States, has been charged with racial crimes after allegedly spraying pepper on a Muslim Uber driver while she was praying, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, was charged with several racial crimes on Monday, after allegedly spraying pepper on a 45-year-old Uber driver as she began praying in Arabic, according to a press release from prosecutors.

Guilbeault hit forward at the driver's seat and sprayed his face with pepper spray, causing pain and a burning sensation, as drivers began to pray, officials said, citing court documents and statements made in court.

The attack took place on July 31 at Upper East Side Manhattan, near the East 65th Street intersection and badminton Avenue, the press release said.

Mahmud then called 911 and Guilbeault was arrested. He has been formally indicted by the state Supreme Court, and will return to attend court hearings in January. Guilbeault's lawyer, Michael J. Alber, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

"As alleged, Jennifer Guillbeault carelessly attacked a Muslim Uber driver while she was doing her job," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.

"The victim is a hard-working New Yorker who shouldn't have had to face hatred like this because of his identity. Everyone is welcome to live and work in Manhattan," he added.

The indictment against Guilbeault includes one charge, namely a Second Level Offensive as a Hate Crime, a Third Level Offensive as a Second Level of Hate and Harassment Crime.

Bragg stressed Manhattan's commitment to inclusiveness and continued efforts by the Hate Crime Unit to combat biased violence.