TAMPA, Fla. – Two men with no affiliation to the University of South Florida (USF) are facing felony charges after a video circulating on social media showed a group interrupting a Muslim student prayer circle inside a campus parking garage.
Detectives with the USF Police Department (USFPD) announced they have identified two of the three individuals seen in the footage. Authorities have “direct filed” cases against the men with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, seeking prosecution on charges that include hate crime enhancements.
Police identified the suspects as Christopher Svochak of Waco, Texas, and Richard Penskoski of Canyon, Oklahoma.
According to investigators, neither man has a local address in the Tampa Bay area, nor are they students or staff at the university. Both have been issued trespass orders barring them from returning to campus.
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They face the following charges:
- Disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies: This charge has been upgraded to a felony through the application of Florida Statute 775.085, known as the hate crime enhancement statute.
- Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor)
- Disrupting School or Lawful Assembly (Misdemeanor)
The investigation began on November 18, immediately after university police became aware of videos online depicting individuals harassing a small group gathered for prayer.
While Svochak and Penskoski have been identified, the investigation remains active. Detectives are currently working to positively identify a third suspect seen in the video. USFPD anticipates submitting a case to the State Attorney regarding this third individual once identification is confirmed.
In response to the incident, USFPD Chief Chris Daniel emphasized the department’s stance on campus safety.
“We take this incident very seriously,” Chief Daniel said. “Our department is committed to protecting every member of our community, and we will use every available resource to ensure accountability and maintain a safe environment for all.”
The university has deployed increased patrols and raised police visibility across campus and at upcoming events out of an abundance of caution. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the third suspect or details about the incident is urged to contact the USF Police Department at (813) 974-2628.
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