CT Woman Charged With Hate Crime In State Capitol Incident: PD

HARTFORD, CT — A New Fairfield woman has been charged with a hate crime in connection with an incident at the state Capitol in January, according to officials.

Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott announced Thursday that upgraded criminal charges have been filed against Yuliya Gilshteyn in connection with an incident at a protest at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Gilshteyn, 44, has been charged with deprivation of rights (hate crime statute), criminal attempt to commit third-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a child.

Gilshteyn, a white woman, is accused of spitting on a Black woman during a protest outside the state Capitol, according to police. Gilshteyn was initially charged with breach of peace.

After the summons for the breach of peace charge was issued, investigators learned the incident was recorded by a television news camera crew who had been at the protest, according to Walcott.

“The follow-up investigation done by Inspector Buyak, which included obtaining witness statements and video of the incident, confirmed that what occurred in Hartford on January 6, 2021 was much more than a breach of peace,” Walcott said in a statement. “An assault launched against a person on account of their race as they are exercising their First Amendment right and freedom cannot be tolerated.”

The Hartford Courant reported Gilshteyn was participating in an anti-vaccination protest when she was accused of spitting on a Black Lives Matter supporter.

Gilshteyn was originally released on a written promise to appear and her next court date is May 19.