Current:Home > InvestMan convicted of hate crimes for attacking Muslim man in New York City -AssetVision
Man convicted of hate crimes for attacking Muslim man in New York City
View
Date:2025-04-14 05:53:59
A New Jersey resident was convicted of hate crimes after he attacked a Muslim man with a knife near a New York City food cart while saying slurs, prosecutors announced Thursday.
“A Manhattan jury held Gino Sozio accountable for attacking a Muslim-American man in a vicious act of hate,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “Instead of walking away from a dispute, Sozio went on an appalling racist and anti-Muslim tirade and took out a knife, seriously injuring the victim who is still in pain to this day. I thank the victim and the eyewitnesses for bravely coming forward and taking the stand, and our talented prosecutors who fought for justice in this case.”
Gino Sozio, 40, of Morganville, New Jersey, swung a knife at a group of Muslims near a halal food cart in Midtown while making Islamophobic comments, prosecutors said, slashing one man in the torso. A New York Supreme Court jury found Sozio guilty of first-degree attempted assault and second-degree assault, both as hate crimes, as well as third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He will be sentenced on May 3.
The conviction comes as civil rights leaders decry a record-high level of Islamophobic hate incidents in the United States.
Overall, hate crimes reported across 25 American cities increased last year by an average of 17% from 2022, according to a study from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University.
Man said slurs as he slashed victim
The 22-year-old victim had traveled with friends to Midtown from New Jersey and ordered food at a street cart, prosecutors said. At around 2 a.m. on December 31, 2022, as they were waiting for their order, one of the victim's friends told Sozio he may have dropped something. In response, Sozio approached the group and began making xenophobic comments that stated in substance, “This is my country. Go back to your country.”
As Sozio continued to make remarks, one person in the group took out his phone to record the incident, according to prosecutors. Sozio slapped the man’s phone out of his hand, and the man responded by punching him. Sozio then pulled out a knife from his pocket and swung it toward the group, eventually slashing one person’s torso, causing a large wound which required stitches and surgery, the district attorney's office said. Throughout the assault, Sozio continued to pass slurs.
A few minutes later, New York City police officers arrested Sozio and took his knife as he continued to make racial comments and slurs.
“No one should have their life put in danger simply because of their faith,” said Afaf Nasher, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations New York chapter. “We welcome the conviction of the perpetrator of this disturbing crime and urge law enforcement to crack down on the rising tide of anti-Muslim incidents.”
The district attorney's office did not provide the name of the victim.
The conviction comes days after CAIR released a report that showed the civil rights group had received a record-high number of complaints in its 30-year history. CAIR said it documented 8,061 complaints in 2023, nearly half of which were received in the final three months of the year.
veryGood! (13738)
Related
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Gay actor’s speech back on at Pennsylvania school after cancellation over his ‘lifestyle’
- Bears have prime opportunity to pick a superstar receiver in draft for Caleb Williams
- Fed plan to rebuild Pacific sardine population was insufficient, California judge finds
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Philadelphia Eagles give wide receiver A.J. Brown a record contract extension
- Man admits to being gunman who carjacked woman in case involving drugs and money, affidavit says
- Giants place Blake Snell on 15-day IL with adductor strain
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Amendments to Missouri Constitution are on the line amid GOP infighting
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Fleeing suspect fatally shot during gunfire exchange with police in northwest Indiana
- New reporting requirements for life-saving abortions worry some Texas doctors
- Antiwar protesters’ calls for divestment at universities put spotlight on how endowments are managed
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Authorities investigating Gilgo Beach killings search wooded area on Long Island, AP source says
- Net neutrality restored as FCC votes to regulate internet providers
- Google parent reports another quarter of robust growth, rolls out first-ever quarterly dividend
Recommendation
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Score 67% off an HP Laptop, 44% off a Bissell Cleaner & More at QVC's Friends & Family Sale
Powerball winning numbers for April 24 drawing with $129 million jackpot
William Decker Founder of Wealth Forge Institute - AI Profit Pro Strategy Explained
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi sentenced to death for backing protests
NFL draft order Friday: Who drafts when for second and third rounds of 2024 NFL draft
William Decker: Founder of Wealth Forge Institute