Man, 42, sentenced up to 9 years for stalking, racist attacks in Manhattan

Colin Mixson, New York Daily News on Apr 14, 2026

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NEW YORK — A political gadfly convicted in a series of racist attacks, including punching TikTok influencer Halley Kate McGookin in the face, was given a sentence of 3-9 years in state prison Tuesday, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Skiboky Stora, 42, who has mounted numerous failed campaigns for mayor and governor, was sentenced by Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Josh Hanshaft. He was convicted in February of assault, stalking, aggravated harassment and attempted assault, all as hate crimes.

Stora was charged May 28, 2024, on a five-count indictment for four separate attacks, each inspired by his racism against white people, hatred of women or antisemitism, Bragg said.

“Skiboky Stora engaged in a disturbing pattern of hate-fueled violence targeting and intimidating strangers, causing physical harm and lasting emotional trauma to these New Yorkers,” said Bragg. “As made clear from today’s statements at sentencing, Stora’s attacks robbed them of their sense of safety and altered how they navigate daily life.

Stora attacked the social media influencer as she walked near W. 16th St. and Seventh Ave. in Chelsea on March 25, 2024, prosecutors said.

McGookin posted a TikTok video just moments after she was attacked, broadcasting footage of a lump on the left side of her forehead as she walked down the street.

“I was literally just walking and a man came up and punched me in the face,” McGookin said in the video. “Oh my God, it hurts so bad.”

Stora was arrested two days later and went on a wild tirade when appearing before a Manhattan judge at his arraignment, during which he repeatedly interrupted prosecutors while ranting about white supremacy.

“My rights are being violated. Can I ask a question?” Stora said at his arraignment before Judge Pamela Goldsmith. “I just want to speak. I have a right to ask the judge a question. Do I have that right?

“Now they bring me here and say they have video footage of me punching somebody that I never met and have never seen. That’s denying me due process, and the same officer is a white supremacist member who has arrested me.”

Before attacking the influencer, Stora terrified a Jewish couple out walking their dogs as he stalked them through Chelsea, screaming “Die, Jews, die!” after they snapped pictures of him tearing down flyers of kidnapped Israeli hostages on E. 15th St. at Fifth Ave. on Nov. 18, 2023, Bragg said.

On Oct. 26, 2023, Stora elbowed a 37-year-old fair-skinned woman as she walked past him near W. 17th St. and Eighth Ave, prosecutors said.

The first attack detailed in the indictment occurred on Sept. 20, 2023, when Stora elbowed a 17-year-old white student at W. 17th St. and Eighth Ave., while shouting, “You people think you can do whatever the f— you want.”