Bay Area man pleads guilty to Islamic center attack during Ramadan

A San Rafael man pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from a confrontation at an Islamic center in Novato.

David Jonathan Margoliash, 48, admitted to a felony charge of using tear gas while being a convicted felon. He has prior convictions for vandalism and assault.

Margoliash also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully possessing tear gas and an infraction of displaying an imitation firearm.

As part of his plea agreement, Margoliash will be placed on probation and assigned to the Support and Treatment After Release Court. The program focuses on serving convicts who have mental illnesses.

Judge Kelly Simmons warned Margoliash that he could receive a two-year prison sentence if he violates his probation conditions. His sentencing is set for Nov. 4.

The case involves an incident at the Islamic Center of North Marin on March 11, which was during the Ramadan holiday. Margoliash entered the building, and a witness confronted him after seeing what he believed to be a gun in his backpack.

Margoliash fired pepper spray at the person who tried to restrain him, Novato police reported. Margoliash fled and police arrested him later.

The Novato Police Department said investigators did not find evidence that Margoliash committed a hate crime.

Margoliash was temporarily released from jail to help detectives find the pellet gun he buried after the incident.

Margoliash was not in custody at his hearing Wednesday. His public defender, Meredith McGuire, could not be reached for comment.

Prosecutor Annie Laurie Abriel declined to comment after the hearing.