Subway sexual assault suspect identified as Yale University student
Legal proceedings began for a university student accused of a subway sexual assault in New York
A Yale University student was arrested and charged after authorities stated a woman was sexually assaulted aboard a New York City subway train while travelling with four children. Ari Shtein was taken into custody at approximately 7:12 a.m. on July 8, 2026, inside the New York City Police Department 5th Precinct in Lower Manhattan. The criminal charges stem from an incident reported on June 28, 2026, on a northbound R train approaching the West 28th Street and Broadway subway station.
Court records obtained by People showed that Shtein was arraigned later that day and pleaded not guilty to all charges. PIX11 reported that the 30-year-old victim was travelling with four children between the ages of 7 and 11 when the alleged subway sexual assault occurred. Prosecutors alleged that Shtein inserted two fingers into the woman's private area as the train approached the platform. Following the incident, the victim exited the train and emergency medical services transported her to a local hospital for treatment.
Shtein was charged with one count of first-degree sexual abuse, one count of third-degree aggravated sexual abuse, one count of forcible touching, four counts of acting in a manner injurious to a child, and one count of third-degree sexual abuse. The New York Daily News reported that prosecutors requested bail be set at $10,000 due to flight risks, but the Yale Daily News confirmed he was released without bail. Defence attorney Priya Chaudhry denied the allegations, calling them nonsense and stating that Shtein was visiting bookstores with a friend when a woman falsely accused him.
Shtein is a member of the Yale University Class of 2029 and previously worked as a staff columnist for the student newspaper. Following the arrest, Yale Daily News Editor-in-Chief Asher Boiskin announced that the publication indefinitely suspended Shtein pending the outcome of the legal process. Court records indicate that Shtein is scheduled to make his next appearance in New York Criminal Court on August 26, 2026.