Harvy Malak Barsoom
The incident involving Harvy Malak Barsoom took place in Plano, Texas.
Here’s the story: The conflict began after the man’s apparent frustration with a woman’s dog repeatedly defecating in the street. A video recording shows the man expressing his displeasure by gesturing and speaking to the woman as she returned to her apartment building with her dog. The man followed her into the building, but the behavior did not indicate stalking; instead, it appeared he was upset about the dog’s actions.
The man later stated that he retreated because he believed the woman took out a gun. Local police initially reviewed the evidence and decided not to file charges against the man due to insufficient grounds. However, the woman brought attention to the case on social media, portraying the man as a stalker and emphasizing his Middle Eastern origin, which led to Islamophobic comments from her followers.
Due to public pressure and social media attention, the Plano Police Department arrested Harvy Barsoom on a complaint of criminal trespass.
The man is a first-time offender with no prior criminal record. It is anticipated that he will be eligible for a pretrial diversion program, which allows dismissal of charges after fulfilling certain conditions. Despite this, his mugshot has been publicly posted online, causing reputational harm. Texas law provides mechanisms for removal of mugshots from commercial websites and further legal remedies, such as expunction or non-disclosure orders, following a favorable case resolution.
Harvey Barsoom may also be able to seek a protective order against the woman if he faces harassment or threats stemming from her actions on social media or otherwise. Pursuing civil action for defamation or emotional distress is another possible legal avenue if the man’s reputation or well-being has been harmed.
This case illustrates the complexity of criminal trespass charges triggered by personal disputes, the influence of social media on legal decisions, and the sensitivity surrounding ethnic and religious identity in public discourse.
HARVY BARSOOM, CHRISTIAN
St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church
Prosper, Texas
Harvy Barsoom wrote about his trip to Egypt, focusing on what impressed him the most. He explained what he learned about the unique aspects of the Coptic Christian faith during his time there.
UPDATE: The court case has been continued to July 30, 2026. Harvey Barsoom has retained an experienced criminal defense attorney. Still no word on who he has hired for filing a civil lawsuit against his accuser.