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Riham Feshir

Woman who threatened Muslim couple with rifle sentenced

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Updated: 1:08 p.m. | Posted: 11:40 a.m.

A Brooklyn Park woman who pleaded guilty to terroristic threats after pointing a rifle at a Muslim couple waiting to pick up their son last spring was sentenced Thursday.

Hennepin County District Court Judge William Koch told Nancy Knoble, 49, her actions that night had an impact on an entire community.

He sentenced her to 45 days in the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility with eligibility for electronic monitoring after 15 days.

The sentence also includes a three-year probation that requires Knoble to participate in a cultural awareness program to learn more about the Islamic faith.

Knoble was charged with felony terroristic threats for confronting Adly Ohalley and his wife Worood Abumayaleh of Maple Grove with a rifle as they sat in their car in Brooklyn Park to pick up their son.

Judge Koch said Knoble should have called police if she thought the couple looked suspicious.

"Not pick up a rifle and go out to the car," Koch said, "that was just nonsensical."

Hennepin County Prosecutor Maximillia Utley said Knoble didn't show any remorse in statements she made during the pre-sentencing investigation. She said despite a lack of criminal history, her actions that night were troubling.

Utley quoted Knoble in a statement as saying "you can't put the soccer mom in jail with the disabled boyfriend at home."

But Knoble's attorney Larry Rapoport called the incident isolated and "one of those things out of course for her."

He said putting her in jail would pose hardships on her family. Knoble has two children ages 12 and 15 and a partner who needs her assistance.

Knoble apologized in court. She broke down in tears after she left the courtroom following her sentencing hearing.

"I'm very sorry for the mistake I made," she said. "I realize that I scared these people."

Judge Koch issued a no contact order with the family. He told Knoble to get rid of her firearms and that she's not allowed to vote during her three-year probation period.