By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Friday that Jamshaid Choudhry has been charged with allegedly smashing a Holy Family statue outside of the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Fresh Meadows last month.
Choudhry, 44, of Hollis, was arraigned on Friday on a complaint charging him with criminal mischief in the second degree as a hate crime, criminal mischief in the third degree as a hate crime, criminal mischief in the fourth degree as a hate crime, criminal mischief in the second degree, criminal mischief in the third degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and aggravated harassment in the first degree.
File Photo
“We will not tolerate unprovoked attacks, especially those driven by hate,” DA Katz said.
According to the charges:
On Sunday, June 30, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Choudhry was seen on video surveillance parking a yellow cab across the street from the church and running up to the statue depicting Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Once next to the statue, Choudhry can be seen taking off his shoe and then spitting on and hitting the statue repeatedly with the shoe.
The attack caused the head of the Jesus statue to break off completely. The amount of damage caused by the attack is estimated at $3,000.
Choudhry was arrested Thursday evening.
“We will not tolerate unprovoked attacks, especially those driven by hate,” Katz said. “Queens stands as a beacon of diversity and inclusivity, where freedom of religion and expression are celebrated as fundamental pillars of our democracy.”
If convicted of the top count, Choudhry faces a potential maximum sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.
