The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida), the state’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, today welcomed the federal court sentencing of a Florida man who attacked a Muslim female U.S. Postal Service worker.
On October 24, 2023, Kenneth Pinkney approached the victim—who was in her Postal Service uniform and operating a marked truck—and tore off her hijab (Islamic head scarf), slapped, and punched her in the face. This attack caused the victim to bleed from her mouth and left scratches on her face. Pinkney also attempted to grab her leg as she tried to get back into the USPS truck. Pinkney was charged with battery and a hate crime based on “prejudicial comments on the victim’s ancestry, religion, and national origin.”
Kenneth Pinkney, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal employee. The case included a sentencing enhancement based on a finding that hate was a motivating factor. Pinkney was ordered to serve 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
SEE: Florida man who attacked a postal carrier in a hijab gets 3 years in federal prison
SEE: Florida man sentenced for hate crime attack on Muslim postal worker
SEE: Man charged with hate crime after tearing off postal worker’s hijab in Fort Lauderdale
CAIR-Florida Media and Outreach Director Wilfredo Amr Ruiz stated:
“We are pleased to know that justice was served in this horrendous hate crime against a hijab-wearing Muslim woman. This dangerous, convicted criminal will have some time to meditate on his cowardly crime and get educated on how Muslim women deserve to be respected, protected, and honored for the services they provide to our community and country.”
Ruiz added that CAIR-Florida and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR-Florida’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-Florida es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
END
CONTACT:
Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, CAIR-Florida Media and Outreach Director
305-502-6749
wruiz@cair.com