Defendant Pleads Guilty to Damaging the Brooklyn Headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch Movement

BROOKLYN, NY - Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Dan Sohail pleaded guilty to damaging religious property. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano. When sentenced, Sohail faces imprisonment and restitution.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of Justice Department's Civil Rights Division; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the guilty plea.

"By pleading guilty today, the defendant admitted that he intentionally damaged the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, a globally significant Jewish religious institution, by repeatedly crashing his vehicle into the building's entrance," said United States Attorney Nocella. "At a time when acts of violence directed at Jewish institutions have dramatically increased, this prosecution underscores our Office's commitment to ensuring that worshippers can gather safely and those who threaten religious institutions will be held accountable."

"The defendant's dangerous conduct was a targeted attack on the religious liberty and peace of worship to which every American is entitled," stated Assistant Attorney General Dhillon. "Today's conviction sends a clear message: the Department of Justice will not tolerate acts of hatred and violence against religious institutions."

"The defendant's actions caused panic within the community. The guilty plea holds him accountable for using a vehicle as a dangerous weapon and demonstrates the FBI's continued commitment to partner with our local law enforcement agencies to protect the public and pursue justice for those impacted," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

"By repeatedly ramming his vehicle into the entrance of the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, the defendant targeted a sacred institution at the heart of the Jewish community," stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. "At a time of rising threats against Jewish New Yorkers, attacks on places of worship carry deep fear far beyond the immediate damage they cause. Today's guilty plea holds this defendant accountable for his actions, and the NYPD will continue working with our federal partners to protect every New Yorker's right to practice their faith safely and freely."

According to court filings and statements made during the plea hearing, on the evening of January 28, 2026, Sohail drove to the Chabad Headquarters located on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York. The Chabad Headquarters was hosting an event marking the anniversary of the death of the movement's leader. After arriving at the side entrance of the building, Sohail exited his vehicle and moved barriers that had been set up to protect the building, which includes a synagogue and religious gathering spaces. After gesturing for congregants to move away, Sohail returned to his vehicle and drove his car into the building's side entrance. He then reversed his vehicle and accelerated into the entrance four additional times, knocking the entrance door off its hinges.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's Human Trafficking and Civil Rights and General Crimes Sections. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Silverberg and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brachah Goykadosh are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Marlane Bosler.

The Defendant:

DAN SOHAIL
Age: 36
Carteret, New Jersey

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-127 (ENV)