Four men charged for targeting gay men using Grindr to rob and beat them
Four men have been charged on federal hate crime and conspiracy charges for allegedly targeting gay men in home invasions.
The men, all from Frisco, Texas, were indicted on the crimes for which they could face up to life in prison.
An 18-count indictment was returned by a grand jury against Anthony Shelton, 19; Nigel Garrett, 21; Chancler Encalade, 20; and Cameron Ajiduah, 18.
Investigators said that the men used Grindr to set up dates with four men before they invaded their homes.
Officials say the men would then assault their victims, restraining them using tape, and make homophobic comments.
The four home invasions took place between January 17 and February 7 in the Collin and Denton counties.
As well as the abuse, the men would steal their cars and belongings.
The four men were charged with conspiracy, kidnapping, carjacking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of these crimes.
The maximum statutory penalty of life in prison is a possibility for the hate crime counts.
A man who was sentenced to life in prison earlier in April for beating a gay man to death was since served another life sentence in federal court.
Kelly Schneider had been set for a March trial after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in state court earlier this year.
Idaho’s hate crime law does not protect on the basis of sexual orientation. He pleaded guilty in exchange for prosecutors dropping robbery, theft and conspiracy charges.
He was in April sentenced to 28 years in prison for brutally beating Steven Nelson to death.
But the US Attorney’s Office has since said that he had been served another 28-year sentence.
