D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment Against Robert Gulliver for Hate Crime Assault at the Oculus


April 12, 2022

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg today announced the indictment of ROBERT GULLIVER, 29, for shouting homophobic slurs and assaulting a gender non-binary person at the Oculus. GULLIVER is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime and Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree. [1]

“This unprovoked, hate-driven assault in a busy transit station and popular tourist destination, is just one of the many examples of egregious hate crimes we’re currently prosecuting in Manhattan,” said DA Bragg. “Manhattan must be a safe space for all, which is why I renewed my call for additional funding to expand our Office’s Hate Crimes Unit. We are committed to protecting our LGBTQIA+ neighbors and are currently actively recruiting a dedicated Victim Service Advocate to serve this community. If you have been a victim of a hate crime, please call my Office’s Hate Crimes Hotline at 212-335-3100.”

According to the indictment and statements made on the record in court, on November 21, 2021, at approximately 3:50 p.m., while on board a World Trade Center-bound Port Authority Trans Hudson (“PATH”) train, GULLIVER shouted homophobic slurs at a fellow passenger and made other derogatory comments about the individual’s painted nails, clothing, and hairstyle. The passenger, a gender non-binary person, exited the train at the World Trade Center PATH stop and entered the Oculus. GULLIVER followed the individual, shouted a homophobic slur, and struck them on the head, knocking them to the ground. A Port Authority Police Officer patrolling the Oculus saw the victim fall and ultimately arrested GULLIVER. As a result of the attack, the victim suffered redness, swelling, and substantial pain.

The Manhattan D.A.’s Office currently has 25 open hate crime cases related to anti-LGBTQIA+ hate crimes.

Assistant D.A. Edward Smith is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), and Executive Assistant D.A. Joyce Smith (Chief of the Trial Division). 

D.A. Bragg thanked the Port Authority Police Department for its assistance with the case.

 

Defendant Information:

ROBERT GULLIVER

New York, NY

Charged:

  • Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, a class E felony, one count
  • Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.