TAMPA, Fla. — Three men are facing criminal charges following a confrontation inside a University of South Florida parking garage where prosecutors say they harassed a group of students engaged in prayer.
The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that Richard Penkoski, Christopher Svochak, and Ricardo Yepez have been charged with disturbing a religious assembly and disorderly conduct. Both charges are classified as misdemeanors.
The charges stem from an incident on the morning of November 18, 2025. According to investigators, a group of 11 students and community members had gathered in the garage to pray when the three defendants approached them.
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Prosecutors stated that the men repeatedly interrupted the assembly, confronting the group until the students felt forced to end their gathering. The State Attorney’s Office noted that the decision to file charges was supported by victim statements and video evidence—including footage the defendants posted to their own social media accounts.
State Attorney officials said the evidence indicates the victims were specifically targeted because they were engaged in religious worship. Under Florida Statute 871.01, it is a crime to willfully interrupt or disturb an assembly of people gathered to worship.
The case has drawn attention from community members questioning why the defendants are not facing hate crime enhancements. Addressing this, the State Attorney’s Office clarified the legal distinction between offensive speech and criminal action.
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“While one’s words may be offensive, the criminal justice system punishes actions, not words alone,” the office said in a statement. Officials emphasized that constitutional protections for free speech extend to offensive viewpoints, but those protections do not allow for the disruption of others’ right to practice religion peacefully.
“Our office will defend every person’s right to worship freely, peacefully, and without fear,” the statement continued. “No one should have to choose between practicing their faith and feeling safe.”
The case was sent to the State Attorney as a direct referral from law enforcement, meaning no arrests were made at the scene. Prosecutors noted that witnesses and victims have been cooperative throughout the investigation.
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