N train pulling into Queensboro Plaza (Photo by Michael Dorgan, Queens Post)
Oct. 7, 2022 By Christian Murray
A Brooklyn man has been indicted on hate crime charges for allegedly attacking a Muslim woman with a metal pipe on the N train near the Queensboro Plaza train station earlier this year.
Joval Cedeno, 41, was arraigned Wednesday in Queens Supreme Court on a five-count indictment where he was charged with assault in the second and third degrees as a hate crime, assault in the second and third degrees, and aggravated harassment in the second degree. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
According to the charges, Cedeno got into a dispute with the victim at around 8 a.m. on Feb. 18 after she boarded an N train at the Queensboro Plaza subway station.
Cedeno allegedly shouted expletives at the victim—who was wearing a Hijab and other traditional Muslim clothing– and stated in sum and substance: “Why aren’t you wearing a sundress?”
He then, according to the charges, hit the woman multiple times with a pipe striking her in the neck and back. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
“As alleged, the defendant was motivated by his own hatred when he attacked the victim…based on her physical appearance and perceived ethnicity,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement. “This shameful behavior will not be tolerated in Queens County, and I remain committed to holding accountable those who try to undermine the feeling of safety for our vibrant and diverse communities.”
Cedeno was also charged for attacking another straphanger that same morning and hurling an anti-white epithet at the victim.
That incident took place at around 9:40 a.m. on a 5 train near the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center train station in Brooklyn. During that incident, Cedeno allegedly slapped the rider multiple times in the face while stating: “Go back to Germany, cracker.”
Cedeno has been ordered to return to court on Nov. 2.
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