A man in Connecticut pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault and other crimes in a plea deal stemming from an attack on Muslim state representative Maryam Khan. Andrey Desmond, 30, admitted to the assault on Rep. Khan outside a prayer service, which included attempted third-degree sexual assault, attempted first-degree strangulation, and risk of injury to a minor. Khan’s lawyer expressed her disappointment in the length of the prison sentence offered in the plea deal, and Desmond’s attorney mentioned his desire to apologize to Khan, who has requested privacy as she processes the events.
The plea deal also requires Desmond to serve a five-year prison sentence, register as a sex offender, undergo counseling, and continue taking medication after his release. Court records reveal that Desmond, who has a history of mental illness, was found competent to stand trial after a court-ordered evaluation. Khan, the first Muslim to serve in the state House of Representatives, experienced the attack while attending a service at the XL Center arena with her family to commemorate Eid al-Adha. The attack left her with a concussion and injuries to her right arm and shoulder.
Desmond approached Khan and her family outside the arena and made sexual advances toward them before following them inside. Khan reported that Desmond specifically targeted her, grabbing at her face and shirt and demanding a kiss. After following her back outside, Desmond physically assaulted Khan, including putting her in a chokehold and threatening her with a gesture mimicking having a gun. Khan, who was with her 15-year-old daughter at the time, was ultimately slammed to the ground by Desmond before two bystanders intervened by holding him until police arrived.
Khan had requested hate crime charges be brought against Desmond following the attack. She has been vocal about the incident, publicly identifying herself and sharing details of the assault. Desmond’s guilty plea represents an important step towards justice for Khan and a recognition of the severity of the attack. The hearing in Hartford Superior Court allowed for key details of the assault to be addressed, and the plea deal sets forth consequences for Desmond’s actions, including prison time, sex offender registration, counseling, and ongoing medication. The attack on Khan has sparked conversations around safety and security for elected officials, particularly those from marginalized communities.
