An 18-year-old Yale student, Ari Shtein of Washington, D.C., has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged sexual assault of a woman aboard a Manhattan subway train on June 28. His attorney has vehemently denied the accusations, calling them false.
Shtein faces charges including first-degree sexual abuse, third-degree aggravated sexual abuse, forcible touching on a bus or train, third-degree sexual abuse, and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to court records. The incident reportedly occurred around 3 p.m. on a northbound R train as it approached the West 28th Street and Broadway subway station.
The alleged victim, a 30-year-old woman, reported she was sexually abused during the train ride. She exited the train at the station and was taken to a local hospital, while Shtein remained on board, according to the New York City Police Department.
Shtein pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and was released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in New York Criminal Court again on August 26.
Priya Chaudhry, Shtein's attorney, issued a statement asserting his innocence. "Ari did not assault anyone. He was visiting bookstores with a friend when his life was turned upside down by a woman who falsely accused him of a vile crime," Chaudhry stated. She further questioned the physical possibility of the alleged conduct, suggesting that the accuser would have needed to be wearing a swimsuit. Chaudhry also appealed for witnesses, stating, "The subway car was packed. If you were on that train, and witnessed this woman's behavior, please contact my firm."
Shtein is listed as a staff columnist for the Yale Daily News opinion desk. Following his arrest, the Yale Daily News announced it had indefinitely suspended him from the publication pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
In a past Substack post from October 2025, titled "Mistakes Were Made," Shtein criticized mandatory campus sexual misconduct training, deeming it largely ineffective and citing research he claimed showed little impact on preventing sexual violence.