Dan Sohail has been charged in federal court with intentionally damaging the Brooklyn headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a prominent Jewish religious institution located in Crown Heights. The complaint alleges that on January 28, 2026, Sohail drove his vehicle into the side entrance of the Chabad Headquarters five times during an event attended by dozens of people. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Sohail was taken into federal custody and is scheduled to be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky. The charge carries a maximum sentence of three years if convicted. According to officials, this action took place while the building was hosting an event marking the anniversary of the death of the movement’s leader.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon for the Civil Rights Division, FBI New York Field Office Assistant Director James C. Barnacle, Jr., and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced the charges.
“As alleged, the defendant’s conduct—driving his vehicle back and forth into an entrance of the synagogue five times— caused damage to a sacred religious institution,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office will not tolerate conduct that endangers the safety of that community or any of our diverse communities. We will continue to protect religious gathering spaces to ensure worshippers are free to safely congregate.”
“Americans should be free to practice their faith without fearing defacement of their sacred places,” said Assistant Attorney General Dhillon. “The Department of Justice will not tolerate attacks on houses of worship, and will vigorously prosecute those who carry them out.”
“Dan Sohail allegedly rammed his vehicle five times into the Chabad Headquarters during a packed memorial service. Sohail allegedly jeopardized dozens of lives and damaged one of our city’s sacred synagogues. The FBI and the NYPD will continue to protect our community’s religious institutions to ensure a safe place for all worshippers,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
“Every New Yorker deserves to live in a safe city where they can practice their faith freely and without fear," stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “The Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn is a sacred place for many Jews in New York City and around the world, and the purposeful destruction of this property is unacceptable. We will always work to ensure that those who violate the law are held accountable, and I thank our NYPD investigators, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's office for working swiftly to pursue justice in this case.”
According to court documents, upon arriving at Chabad Headquarters on Eastern Parkway that evening, Sohail moved protective barriers set up outside before signaling congregants away from his intended path with gestures. He then drove his car repeatedly into an entrance door until it was knocked off its hinges.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York handles federal prosecutions like this one as well as civil representation within its jurisdiction (https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny). Its offices are based in Brooklyn and Central Islip (https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny), covering areas including Brooklyn itself (https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny). In addition to criminal cases involving damage or threats against religious sites, it supports community outreach efforts for victims (https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny).
Assistant United States Attorneys Eric Silverberg and Brachah Goykadosh are prosecuting this case with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Marlane Bosler.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
