Ben Pasternak arrested in New York for strangulation

According to multiple news reports citing law enforcement, tech entrepreneur Ben Pasternak was arrested in New York City on Tuesday, March 31. The arrest is said to be connected to an incident that same day in which Pasternak allegedly strangled and physically assaulted another person. Police took him into custody, although the exact location and the identity of the accuser have not been disclosed.

Subsequently, the New York Criminal Court unsealed the formal charges. Court documents list one count of strangulation in the second degree and one count of assault with intent to cause physical injury. In New York, strangulation in the second degree is classified as a violent felony and is penalized severely because it involves impeding someone’s breathing or blood circulation, an act that can lead to unconsciousness or death. The assault charge indicates that the alleged attack was intentional. Pasternak was brought before a judge for arraignment, where he entered a plea of not guilty to both offenses. The court then set a follow-up hearing for June 11, which will serve as a key date for the proceedings.

The day after the arrest became public, Evelyn Ha, a social media personality and Pasternak’s former girlfriend, addressed her followers in a raw, emotional video. With tears streaming, she communicated that her romantic relationship had ended. She stressed that she was surrounding herself with her support network of friends and family and was taking each day as it came, as the situation was still very fresh and painful. Ha described her current emotional state as a mess and made it clear that she was not yet ready to divulge further details, asking for time and privacy. The timing of this video, coming right after the arrest news, led many to draw a connection, though Ha did not explicitly confirm any link to the legal case.

Soon afterward, Pasternak himself broke his silence via his own social media channels. In a written message, he asserted unequivocally that he had never strangled anyone in his life and denied being a physically aggressive person in any manner. He stated his belief in the justice system, voicing his trust that the court process would ultimately reveal the truth. His public denial set up a direct contradiction to the charges, intensifying public curiosity.

In the aftermath, long-time followers of the couple began to circulate older video clips that they claimed had previously raised red flags about the relationship. Pasternak was a regular fixture in Ha’s content, and he was introduced to her audience under the playful moniker “Mystery Man.” This addition to her videos was initially a source of playful speculation among fans. However, a particular holiday video from earlier in their relationship drew renewed scrutiny. In it, the couple was seen in a leisure setting, and as Ha leaned in to hug or cuddle Pasternak, he noticeably ignored her, appearing distracted. She can be heard remarking that he tends to neglect her because he is always consumed by work. The most jarring moment in the same recording is a segment where they engage in a questioning game. Pasternak presents a series of alarming hypotheticals, asking Ha to imagine how she would react if he held her head underwater or pushed her off a boat. The seemingly light-hearted frame of the game contrasted sharply with the nature of the questions, which many viewers later found threatening. When the footage sparked online backlash, Pasternak responded by downplaying the remarks, insisting they were simply a joke and emphasizing that it was intended humorously, even capitalizing the word “Joke.” This explanation was met with skepticism by some, and the clips became central to the narrative around his arrest. A number of fans had previously commented on these clips, expressing unease about the dynamic and the nature of Pasternak’s remarks. Some even predicted that the relationship seemed unhealthy.

Amidst the charged atmosphere, significant uncertainties remain. The identity of the alleged victim is not public, so it is unclear whether Ha is the person referenced in the court case. The specific details of the March 31 incident, including what exactly happened and what evidence support the charges, have not been released. Additionally, the exact sequence of the couple’s breakup relative to the alleged crime is unknown, leaving open questions about whether the events are directly linked or coincidental.

The case is now in the hands of the New York Criminal Court. The accepted charges suggest that prosecutors are confident in their case, while Pasternak’s statements present a full denial. The next court date on June 11 will be an important milestone where more information could come to light. Ha has stepped back from the public eye to heal, and Pasternak awaits his day in court. Until then, the public continues to analyze the couple’s digital footprint for answers while respecting the legal process.