Nigel Garrett admitted crimes under the federal hate-crimes statue to magistrates
A gang used Grindr to meet gay men so they could assault them and rob them, a court has heard.
Two of the four men, Nigel Garrett and Cameron Ajiduah, admitted crimes under the federal hate-crimes statue to magistrates in Plano, Texas, on Tuesday.
Garrett, 21, and Agiduah, 18, said that they, along with Anthony Shelton, 19, and Chancler Encalade, 20, used the dating website to meet gay men and then assault and rob them.
After being invited into the victims’ homes they would bind the men with tape and physically assault them.
The victims were also taunted about their sexuality before their homes were robbed, magistrates heard.
According to the indictment, they used at least one firearm during the crimes.
The men could be sentenced to up to life in prison and fined up to $250,000. Shelton and Encalade still await trial.
Garrett, 21, and Agiduah (left), 18, said that they, along with Anthony Shelton, 19, and Chancler Encalade (right), 20, used the dating website to meet gay men in the victims’ homes
‘The Justice Department will not tolerate hate crimes against any individual based on sexual orientation,’ said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore.
‘Hate crimes are violent crimes, but also attack the fundamental principles of the United States.
‘The Justice Department will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute hate crimes.’