A Yale University student accused of groping a mother in front of her children on a New York City subway train appeared in court on Wednesday, reportedly engrossed in a book of plays.
Ari Shtein, 18, a rising sophomore, faces charges including sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, forcible touching, and endangering the welfare of a child. The incident allegedly occurred on June 28 when Shtein is accused of forcing two fingers into the 30-year-old woman's vagina as she traveled with her four children, aged 7 to 11, on an uptown R train. The train was approaching the West 28th Street station at the time.
Shtein appeared calm during the brief court hearing, seated in the second row and reading Tom Stoppard's 1993 play "Arcadia." He wore a collared shirt, dark pants, and sneakers and briefly conferred with his attorney, Priya Chaudhry. He did not address the court, and his next appearance is scheduled for October 29.
Shtein was arrested on July 8, more than a week after the alleged assault. He pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment and was released without bail. The Manhattan District Attorney's office had sought a $10,000 bond due to Shtein's ties to Michigan and Connecticut, where he attends Yale.
Shtein's attorney, Priya Chaudhry, stated that her client has done nothing wrong and that the allegations are false. "This false allegation has been incredibly difficult for this innocent teenager and his family," Chaudhry said in an email. "We have faith that the prosecutor's investigation will lead them directly to his innocence."
Chaudhry has previously represented high-profile clients, including actor Jonathan Majors and reality television personality Jen Shah. She told the New York Daily News last month that Shtein was visiting bookstores with a friend when the incident occurred and that his reputation has been damaged. Chaudhry also suggested that the alleged conduct would not have been physically possible unless the accuser was wearing a swimsuit.
According to court documents, the alleged victim told a police officer that she saw Shtein behind her and then felt him place his fingers inside her vagina. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment following the incident.
Public records indicate Shtein's parents are Roni Mintz Shtein, an ophthalmologist and associate professor at the University of Michigan, and Max Shtein, a professor at the university's College of Engineering. The family resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Shtein, a mathematics and philosophy major, began his studies at Yale in August of the previous year. He has written for university publications and a libertarian think tank, the Reason Foundation. In past writings, Shtein has questioned the effectiveness of sexual harassment training for college freshmen and discussed personal insecurities about his intellect.