A man named Andrey Desmond pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault, attempted first-degree strangulation, and risk of injury to a minor in connection with an assault on Connecticut state representative Maryam Khan. Khan, the first Muslim to serve in the state House of Representatives, was attacked outside a prayer service in June 2023. The plea deal calls for a five-year prison sentence for Desmond, as well as mandatory registration as a sex offender, counseling, and medication after his release.
Desmond’s attorney stated that his client wanted to apologize to Khan, but held off under advisement from the judge that anything said could be used against him. Desmond has a history of mental illness, but was found competent to stand trial after a court-ordered evaluation. Khan had called for hate crime charges against Desmond, as the attack occurred during a service at the XL Center arena to mark Eid al-Adha. The attack left Khan with a concussion and injuries to her right arm and shoulder.
Khan’s lawyer expressed Khan’s belief that Desmond deserved a longer prison sentence given the seriousness of the attack. Khan did not make any comment after the hearing, but later issued a statement through her attorney asking for privacy while she processes the events. Khan looks forward to Desmond’s sentencing on June 4. The attack occurred when Desmond approached Khan and her family outside the arena, saying he intended to have sexual relations with one of them.
Desmond reportedly followed them inside and began to pursue Khan specifically, grabbing at her face and shirt and demanding a kiss. He then followed her back outside and attempted to grab her face again, becoming angry when she avoided him. He subsequently slapped her across the face, put her in a chokehold, mimicked having a gun, and slammed her into the ground. Khan was diagnosed with a concussion and injuries to her right arm and shoulder as a result of the assault.
Two bystanders chased Desmond down and held him until police arrived and arrested him. One of the bystanders, a military veteran, was charged with misdemeanor assault but has applied for a pretrial diversion program that could erase the charge. Khan has publicly identified herself as the victim of the attempted sexual assault, which allows the Associated Press to report on the incident. The plea deal for Desmond requires him to serve a five-year prison sentence, register as a sex offender, undergo counseling, and take medication following his release.
