Terrell Campbell, 29, of Brooklyn, charged in Elmont acid attack on Nafiah Ikram

A Brooklyn man has been arrested in the 2021 attack of an Elmont college student who was splashed in the face with sulfuric acid in her driveway as she returned home from work, officials said.

Terrell Campbell, 29, of Brooklyn, appeared in a Mineola courtroom Tuesday morning wearing a red puffer coat. He pleaded not guilty to a Feb. 9 indictment on two counts of assault, one count of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of possession of noxious materials in connection with an attack on Nafiah Ikram.

"This is the result, but hopefully not the end of five years of intense investigation by Nassau police, the district attorney's office and law enforcement partners," Nassau Assistant District Attorney Brian Rodriguez said.

Nassau County Judge Joy Watson ordered Campbell held without bail. Campbell’s attorney declined to comment. His father directed his middle finger to news cameras outside the courtroom.

Prosecutors would not discuss any alleged motives in the attack, citing the ongoing investigation.

Campbell, described as an aspiring rapper, eluded authorities for five years. Prosecutors said he was eventually identified through a description of his 2015 red Nissan Altima, including a roll of paper towels seen in the back window, which matched surveillance footage outside Ikram’s house.

Prosecutors also obtained Campbell’s Google search history which included the terms "sulfuric acid fabric remover," "Hammurabi’s Law — eye for an eye" and "acid attack, Franklin Square, Long Island," all before the attack was publicly reported.

Ikram hugged Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly and stood with her parents as police announced the arrests Tuesday at Nassau Police Headquarters.

Ikram’s mother, Sherina Mohamed, thanked investigators, prosecutors and victims' advocates for continuing to work the case.

"I want to thank everyone, the detectives and everyone that kept us in our prayers," Mohamed said. "They have been our backbone and thank everyone and every prayer to get to this day."

Donnelly said the case was nearing a five-year statute of limitations to file charges by March 17.

She said tips from the community helped identify a suspect, which may result in the payment of a $50,000 reward.

"It's sickening. It's cruel and it's brazen, but through the incredible detective work and through the incredible partnership with my prosecutors, finally, we believe this almost five-year-old mystery has been solved," Donnelly said.

The March 17, 2021, attack permanently scarred Ikram, who suffered burns to her face and arms. Police said the assailant approached her in her driveway after she returned home from her job at CVS.

Ikram, now 26, told Newsday that as she walked around her mother’s car, carrying a bag of oxtail, she saw a hooded man wearing a ski mask who then threw a cup of liquid in her face, which she first thought was warm juice.

The acid damaged her eyes, and she suffered second- and third-degree burns to her face, chest and arms. The acid melted her contact lenses, blinding her in the right eye.

The FBI and police released photos of a 2013 to 2015 red Nissan Altima speeding way from Ikram’s Elmont home. The attack drew national attention, and authorities offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Police have released few details about their investigation. Shortly after the attack, police said there was no evidence to determine whether it was a hate crime. Ikram and her family said they did not believe she was targeted due to her race or religion.

Ikram said in an interview last year that she resumed classes at Hofstra University after battling anxiety and depression. She underwent multiple surgeries and hopes to one day become a doctor.

Ikram said she hoped to find her attacker so no one else gets hurt.

"I wouldn't want this to happen to someone else," Ikram said in an interview last year. "Honestly, it's the worst, and it's a very, very difficult thing to go through mentally," she said.