Ex-rideshare driver charged with federal hate crime

He allegedly assaulted passenger he thought was Jewish or Israeli

SAN FRANCISCO >> Authorities on Wednesday arrested and charged a former rideshare driver from

Daly City with a federal hate crime for allegedly assaulting a passenger he believed to be either Jewish or Israeli last fall at the San Francisco International Airport.

The incident happened Oct. 26, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

Citing an indictment, the Justice Department said Csaba John Csukás, 39, worked as a driver for an app-based rideshare company and was hired to drive the victim home from SFO. The Justice Department did not name the rideshare company; the indictment was not available Wednesday.

Csukás allegedly approached the victim at a predetermined pickup location, asked the victim if he was Jewish or Israeli, stated he would not transport a Jewish or Israeli person and hit the victim in the face with his fist, federal authorities said.

“No one in this country should live in fear because of how they worship or where they come from,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “The Justice Department will aggressively prosecute those who perpetrate hate-fueled violence motivated by antisemitism or by bias of any kind.”

Robert Tripp, special agent in charge of the San Francisco FBI field office, called the alleged attack “senseless and brutal.”

“Hate crime is among the FBI's highest priorities, and we will work to bring justice for victims of bias-motivated crime,” Tripp said.

Csukás made his initial court appearance Wednesday. If convicted of committing a federal hate crime, Csukás faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.