QUEENS, NY — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that 44-year-old Jamshaid Choudhry has been charged with several counts of criminal mischief as a hate crime following his alleged attack on a religious statue at the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Fresh Meadows. The incident occurred early on the morning of June 30.
Choudhry, who is from Hollis, was captured on video surveillance parking his yellow cab across the street from the church before approaching and vandalizing the Holy Family statue. The footage shows Choudhry taking off his shoe, spitting on, and striking the statue multiple times, ultimately causing the head of the child Jesus depiction to break off.
The damage from the attack is estimated at $3,000. Following the incident, Choudhry was apprehended by law enforcement and charged with multiple degrees of criminal mischief, both as hate crimes and standard offenses, along with aggravated harassment in the first degree.
District Attorney Katz emphasized the community’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, stating that hate-driven attacks would not be tolerated. She commended the work of the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force and her own Hate Crimes Bureau for their quick response in apprehending the suspect.
Choudhry was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court and faces a potential maximum sentence of five to 15 years if convicted of the top count. He is scheduled to return to court on August 1. This case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat hate crimes and protect religious freedoms in Queens.
