The perpetrator of the 770 ramming attack, Dan Sohail, was taken into federal custody today (Monday) and arraigned after the federal complaint against him was unsealed, alleging that he intentionally damaged religious property. Sohail was arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky.

“Americans should be free to practice their faith without fearing defacement of their sacred places,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “The Department of Justice will not tolerate attacks on houses of worship, and will vigorously prosecute those who carry them out.”

As alleged in the complaint, on Yud Shevat (Jan. 28), Sohail drove to 770 Eastern Parkway, where thousands of Anash, bochurim, shluchim, and guests from around the world had gathered to celebrate the day.

Upon arriving at the back entrance, Sohail exited his vehicle and moved barriers set up to protect the building. After gesturing for people to move away, he returned to his car and rammed the building’s entrance. He then reversed and accelerated into the entrance four additional times, knocking the door off its hinges. Miraculously, no one was injured.

“Dan Sohail allegedly rammed his vehicle five times into the Chabad Headquarters during a packed memorial service,” said Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle of the FBI New York Field Office. “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.”

Eyewitnesses reported that the man had been seen lurking around 770 earlier that day at approximately 4:00 PM.

Bochurim also noted that about two weeks earlier, Sohail had been filmed inside 770 wearing the same clothes. At that time, he reportedly claimed he was Jewish and even put on tefillin with students learning there. Witnesses told the New York Post that Sohail had approached multiple Chabad houses in New Jersey over recent months seeking guidance, often giving inconsistent accounts of his connection to Yiddishkeit.

The incident immediately drew widespread local and national media attention, given both the significance of the location – 770 – and the day, Yud Shevat, marking the yartzeit of the Frierdiker Rebbe and the beginning of the Rebbe’s nesius.

After police feared a possible explosive device in the vehicle, 770 and the surrounding area were evacuated. Thousands of bochurim, guests, and locals regrouped at other locations, where farbrengens continued through the night until 5:45 AM, when police gave the all-clear.

Sohail had previously been arrested by New York City police at the scene and charged with multiple hate crimes by state prosecutors. His father told The Daily News that his son suffered from “mental problems,” but had “a very good friendship, relationship with the Jews.”

The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison if the damage is found to have exceeded $5,000. Jailed since his arrest, Sohail was temporarily released to the custody of the U.S. Marshals for his federal court appearance. His next hearing in the state case is scheduled for March 31.

Since the attack, there has been an increased near-constant police presence around 770.

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