Ari Shtein, a columnist at Yale Daily News, is charged with a sex crime related to the Manhattan subway.

Yale Student Charged with Sexual Assault on Subway

Recently, an 18-year-old Yale University student, Ari Shtein, faced accusations of sexually assaulting a woman aboard a subway train in Manhattan. His attorney asserts that these allegations are unfounded.

According to the New York City police, Shtein, who hails from Washington, D.C., was taken into custody on July 8. He’s been charged with serious offenses, including first-degree sexual abuse, as well as other counts related to sexual misconduct and endangering a child.

The alleged incident occurred on June 28, around 3 p.m., when a 30-year-old woman reported that she had been assaulted while riding a northbound R subway train. After leaving the train at West 28th Street and Broadway, she was transported to a local hospital by ambulance, while the suspect remained on the vehicle.

During his arraignment, Shtein entered a not guilty plea. He was released on his own recognizance and is set to return to court on August 26.

Shtein’s attorney, Priya Chaudhry, firmly rejected the claims, stating that incidents on subways are common. She emphasized, “Ali never assaulted anyone.” She went on to explain that his life took a drastic turn due to these accusations. “His reputation was destroyed,” she remarked, hinting at the impact of public perception before any evidence came to light.

Chaudhry also claimed that the woman’s version of events doesn’t add up, asserting, “For the alleged act to have been physically possible, she would have had to have been wearing a bathing suit,” highlighting the crowded conditions of the subway train.

Shtein is a staff columnist for the Yale Daily News, where his last piece appeared in May. Following news of his arrest, the publication announced an indefinite suspension of his contributions. Editor-in-Chief Asher Boykin commented on the situation, indicating that the decision was made in light of troubling reports surrounding the arrest.

In a Substack post from October 2025, Shtein had previously critiqued mandatory sexual misconduct training at universities, arguing that such initiatives are often ineffective.