Deputies said Ricardo Yepez and Christopher Svochak received a warning at the event on Jan. 11 — just two months after the alleged harassment incident.
TAMPA, Fla. — Two men charged in connection to the harrasment Muslim students during a prayer session at the University of South Florida received a trespassing warning at a separate event led by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
In a statement to 10 Tampa Bay News, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies responded to Bruce B Downs Boulevard at around 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 in reference to a noise complaint and trespassing call.
Deputies said Ricardo Yepez and Christopher Svochak received a warning at the event. Both men are facing misdemeanor charges, including disturbing a religious assembly and disorderly conduct, in connection to the alleged harassment incident from November.
On the morning of Nov. 18, 2025, the two men, as well as Richard Penkoski, approached a group of 11 students and community members while they were praying and repeatedly harassed and confronted them until they were forced to end the gathering, according to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.
A cell phone video recording obtained by 10 Tampa Bay News shows the trio shouting obscenities, spitting and offering bacon to the group of students.
“I spit on the grave of Muhammad,” one of the men can be heard shouting. “You’re going to burn in hell. You need to repent. You need to get saved. You need to be set free. Jesus Christ is coming soon… Take that towel off your head.”
The state attorney’s office said video evidence, including videos posted by the defendants themselves, was used to determine that the students were targeted for religious reasons. Back in November, 10 Tampa Bay News reached out to the group that livestreamed the event. They claim to be kingdom reconcilers following the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The same group livestreamed the event from Jan. 11, which shows law enforcement on scene as a confrontation takes place.
USF students had previously called for authorities to investigate the campus harassment as a hate crime. The state attorney’s office said it did not seek a hate crime enhancement because “the criminal justice system punishes actions, not words alone.”
“Both the Florida Constitution and United States Constitution protect offensive viewpoints as much as our freedom to practice our religion,” the state attorney’s office wrote in a release.
“Our office will defend every person’s right to worship freely, peacefully, and without fear. No one should have to choose between practicing their faith and feeling safe,” the statement continued.
Because the case was referred to the state attorney’s office by law enforcement, no arrests were made. The next step in the process is that Penkoski, Svochak and Yepez will be set for arraignment.
The Muslim students seen in the video told 10 Tampa Bay News back in November that they gather for prayer often on campus, and this is the first time a situation such as this one has happened.
“In a world where we are already a minority, we are already fighting our way up. It makes us feel more isolated,” Saajid Khan, a USF student, previously said.