Woman Arrested, Accused of Dumping Pork Products Outside Muslim-Owned Market

A woman was arrested last month after authorities linked her to an attack on a Middle Eastern market.

Christine Fernandez, 61, was accused of dumping pork products in front of the store run by Muslim owners. She was hit with a misdemeanor charge of harassment or intimidation based on religious or ethnic heritage on Monday, June 22. Fernandez was released later that day after posting a $750 bond, Hometown News Treasure Coast reported on June 25.

The alleged hate crime took place on May 30 at around 1:40 p.m., according to the outlet. The grocery store in question, which specializes in Middle Eastern food, is owned by husband and wife Ahmad Charif and Hiba Sharifeh, who are Muslims.

Charif and the couple’s 11-year-old son were present at the time of the attack. Sharifeh, who was not there at the time, told investigators that her son called to inform her that “someone threw meat products in front of the business.”

According to surveillance footage, the pork products, including bacon, were dumped in Ziploc-style bags, Hometown News Treasure Coast explained. Consuming pork is strictly forbidden by the Qur’an.

Sharifeh told investigators that the couple’s religious beliefs and the fact that she wears a hijab likely fueled Fernandez’s crime.

Fernandez, who lives in New York, reportedly admitted to the crime, claiming she carried out the attack as a “bet.” Per the arrest affidavit viewed by Hometown News, she admitted to the crime, calling the attack “a joke rather than a malicious act.”

The suspect “knowingly selected a business she perceived to be associated with Islam or Middle Eastern culture and intentionally deposited pork products at that location because of that perceived association. Her actions were purposeful, targeted, and directed solely toward the victims’ business,” the affidavit revealed.