21-year-old Texan Nigel Garrett has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after using Grindr to hunt down a gay man and assault him.
According to prosecutors, Garrett and three accomplices created a fake profile on the popular hookup app and arranging to meet at the victim’s house.
Brandishing guns, the suspects overpowered the victim once inside. They bound him with tape and physically attacked him while shouting antigay slurs.
After tearing apart the victim’s property, they drove off with many of the victim’s valuables.
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Related: Gay man went out to make new friends, wound up left for dead in suspected hate crime
The plea agreement elaborates on the crime:
“Garrett admitted that he, Anthony Shelton, and Chancler Encalade used Grindr, a social media dating platform for gay men, to arrange to meet the victim at the victim’s home.
Upon entering the victim’s home, the defendants restrained the victim with tape, physically assaulted the victim, and made derogatory statements to the victim for being gay. The defendants brandished a firearm during the home invasion, and they stole the victim’s property, including his motor vehicle.”
Although Texas predictably has no hate crime laws that protect LGBTQ people from such attacks, Garrett’s hate crime conviction came under The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which lets the Justice Department go after criminals in states that have no protections already in place.
The defendants are also charged with “conspiring to cause bodily injury because of the victims’ sexual orientation” during four other home invasions from January 17th to February 7th, according to Pink News.
Related: “Take Your Pants Off”: Cops Investigate Bizarre Hate Crime Video
His accomplices — Anthony Shelton, Chancler Encalade, and Cameron Ajiduah — have pleaded guilty to hate crime charges but haven’t been sentenced yet.
Of the crime, Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore said:
“Hate crimes are an attack on a fundamental principle of the United States to be free from fear of violence because of your sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, religion, or national origin.
The Department of Justice is committed to using every tool at its disposal to combat this type of violence.”
Brit Featherston, Acting U.S. Attorney, added:
“Violence, in any form, is an affront to the American principles of freedom and safety that our communities are entitled to.
The Department of Justice has made prosecution of violent crime a priority. The Eastern District of Texas, in prosecuting this case and others like it, intends to demonstrate that this priority is something more than just a slogan.”
Jaxton
Black culture can be so violent and homophobic. I no longer support black civil rights because of this.
prarie pup
If one act by one person turns you off on the entire group, something tells me you never really supported black civil rights in the first place; this is just the excuse you needed to whitewash your racist views–no pun intended.
Hussain-TheCanadian
What a ridiculous comment; do tell baby what do you know about culture anyway? Do you have Black friends? A black partner? have you been part of a black civil organization? Have you read the books of the leading black philosophers and intellectuals?
As usual Brain, your comments are as empty as your head; Queen, you need some Vancouver grade Weed, and a glass of wine to chill the f*ck out.
Juanjo
Jaxton has once again demonstrated his fundamental character – he is a bigot.
jkb
And Neo Nazis have turned you off to rights for whites?
jhon_siders
Well bleeding hearts you cannot ignore the facts from the FBI 14% of the population commits 76% of the violent crime when are you going to quit thinking putting a coexist sticker on your car is going to change things ?? You be better to join the Pink Pistols learn how to handle a fire arm and get your CCW license because this very well can happen to your urban dwelling selves and the police will not be there to save your ass !
deppa
I wouldn’t go so far as to say I don’t support black civil rights (I do) but black men commit more violent crimes than any other group in America. That is not judgement. That is a fact.
I wouldn’t judge these guys as necessarily representative of the black community but the stats do speak for themselves. Many times the gay community gets stuck on this “all minorities are united in the civil rights movement” thing but I can tell you as someone who lives in Houston where there is a high percentage of black residents, most of them don’t give an S* about gay people. They are too wrapped up in their church and the Bible to give a S*.
happiness17
Jaxton-When it comes to homophobia and violence against it’s not just black people who are at fault. Just as many white people are.
DCguy
Awwwwww, look what we have here. One of the old trolls STILL trying that old NOM playbook of trying to drive a wedge between different minority groups.
Lets see, Are Mike Pence and Billy Ghram black? No
Are the leaders of the Mormon Church or Rick Warren Black? No
Are ANY of the major GOP politicians who have attacked lgbts and tried to pass laws against our very existence black? No
Does the NAACP speak up in support of lgbts? Yes
So nice try troll. The biggest enemies lgbts have in this nation are currently in control of the White House, the Senate and the House.
demetreus
Jhon the troll says that 14% of black people commits 76% of the nation’s crimes….CAN I JUST LOL FOR A QUICK MOMENT. We truly have some stupid people in this world!!
TRUTH: ACCORDING TO THE FBI’S LATEST CRIME STATS REPORT, OF THE 8,421,481 ARRESTS (all crimes) 5.9 MILLION WERE WHITE, 2.3 MILLION WERE BLACK.
Notright
So do you no longer support whites because of how some of those white bafoons in Charolettesville behaved and how our President supported them?
CanadianGuy62
jhon_siders
You say that blacks commit 76% of the crime (disproportionate to their being 14% of the population).
I think you would be more accurate in saying that blacks are convicted of 76% of the crime (I don’t know the source of your statistic, but will accept it for the purpose of this argument).
Blacks are far more likely than whites to be stopped and, in turn, searched and found to possess drugs, for which they get convictions.
I don’t imagine that whites use drugs any less frequently than blacks…it’s that they’re not subject to random searches (if ever, certainly not as frequently as blacks). Also, those whites that are searched and found with something more often have access to better attorneys, thus helping them to avoid a criminal record.
The justice system is racially-biased to favour whites and disfavour people of colour (especially black people who dared to try to move beyond the bounds of slavery).
What this individual and his accomplices did was horrific; however, to try to say it’s due to them being black is disgraceful. You should be ashamed of yourself.
prarie pup
If one act by one person turns you off on the entire group, something tells me you never really supported black civil rights in the first place; this is just the excuse you needed to whitewash your racist views–no pun intended.
deppa
To some extent I agree with you but can you be honest? Black men commit more violent crimes than any other group in America. That is not judgement. That is a fact. That is not racist but that is a fact.
I wouldn’t judge these guys as necessarily representative of the black community but the stats do speak for themselves. Many times the gay community gets stuck on this “all minorities are united in the civil rights movement” thing but I can tell you as someone who lives in Houston where there is a high percentage of black residents, most of them don’t give an S* about gay people. They are too wrapped up in their church and the Bible to give a S*.
SiamSam
Yes and no. The black population is generally more homophobic than the white population, as is the Hispanic population, just like members of the Muslim faith are generally more likely to be misogynistic and homophobic than the Christian faith. Why this would be should be more closely and carefully examined, and of course, we shouldn’t make assumptions about any individual member of any race, ethnicity, sex or religion. However, we can blame the SJWs for this modern trend of overgeneralizing. After all, they have made blaming an entire religion, gender or race for the actions of one or a few socially acceptable e.g. when a white man goes on a shooting spree or a Christian baker refuses to bake a gay wedding cake, it’s #EndWhiteChristianTheocracy or some rubbish. We’ll take your protestations more seriously when you stand up against the slandering and shaming of all whites, men or Christians because of a handful of psychos or bigots.
Amalgamate
SiamSiam-hahah-no-hahhha-Christians are far more homophobic than Muslims in the western world. Western Muslims’ homophobia is almost non existent
Kangol
And here we go. Queerty is back to its usual BS. Endless pieces about young white dudes, 2 negative posts (with photos) of Black straight males who attack LGBTQ people for every 1 about a Black gay/LGBTQ person, mindless photos snatched off IG, etc, almost NO posts about other LGBTQ people of color in the US, no positive ones about trans people, etc.
This site should look in the mirror every time it criticizes Trump, Breitbart, FoxNews or any other right-wing news outlet, because it’s basically apartheid city on here. Seriously, Queerty, get your act together.
Amalgamate
Quiet-this isn’t about race-these piece of human shitt almost killed a gay man by stalking him on a gay app-that’s GAY news!
Hogwasher
No, this site should not look in the mirror every time it criticizes trump, Breitbart, FoxNoise etc.
But you, trump, Breitbart, FoxNoise should look in the mirror for the rampant homophobia, misogyny, racism that you all spew.
Jaxton
Blacks like to play black politics every time a black person is victimized. However, when the perpetrator is black, it’s a case of “how dare you bring blackness into it”. You can’t have it both ways.
Blacks need to have a good look at themselves. Theirs is an unusually violent, homophobic community. Black crime is disproportionally high.
I used to support black civil rights but no more.
mhoffman953
@Jaxton
Some facts within various communities are ignored for fear that those facts might be “racist”. Such as the fact that the black community makes up 13% of the population but 50% of all violent crimes are done by black males (black males make up 6% of the total US population – and not all of those guys are violent). It’s staggering to think that 50% of all violent crimes are committed by less than 6% of the population
jhon_siders
No use to tell the truth people will not listen to you its NOT just one person its every night on the news time after time look who is committing the crimes I am glad I do not live in the city and we have good CCW laws and a the stand your ground law here in Indiana and NO we do not claim Pence and we do not want him back !!!
DCguy
Wow, so JUST this troll account screename has posted THREE times attacking black people on here.
Hmmm, what a shock, the SAME trolls that are on here supporting bigots and who hate lgbts ALSO hate black people.
That right there shows both groups exactly what we have in common. We’re BOTH fighting bigots like you.
surreal33
1. Grindr is a cesspool of disease and violence this has been demonstrated too many times to list.
2. As men of color are a minority of the population of the United States it is MATHEMATICALLY impossible for the majority of violent crime to be committed by men of color. If you have independent, verifiable, proof to the contrary please list it.
3. Why do men of color have to answer for the actions of a few miscreants? Yet fine, upstanding, white folks don’t have answer for Neo-nazis, white supremacists or ultra-conservative Christian extremists?
Ummmm Yeah
How’s their crime rate per capita? How many entire cities do people avoid because of violent white people?
mhoffman953
@surrreal33
“As men of color are a minority of the population of the United States it is MATHEMATICALLY impossible for the majority of violent crime to be committed by men of color. If you have independent, verifiable, proof to the contrary please list it”
You must not understand how per capita rates work: https://i.imgur.com/9Bo3s9N.jpg
Ummmm Yeah
But let’s continue to listen to black queens that only chase white guys whine about not getting every guy they want on Grindr instead of addressing rampant violent black homophobia instead.
surreal33
Mr mhoffman953,
Please see:
https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2016/crime-in-the-u.s.-2016/topic-pages/tables/table-21
mhoffman953
@surreal33
I do see that and it’s referenced in the source of the infographic I posted. Those show total raw numbers but when you compare that to the “per capita” rates it shows the infographic I posted above. You do understand what “per capita” means, right?
If not, you take the total number of crime by race divided by the total population of that race and multiple by 100,000
However, if you just want to look at the raw data in the link you posted, you will see that 13% of the population commits 53% of murder and 55% of all robberies. Clearly there is a problem here
happiness17
Not to stereotype Texas. It doesn’t surprise me that this happened there. That is one of the most homophobic states. The a-holes who assaulted the man will be experiencing the same fear and desperation as their victim did.
He’ll be a prime target for sexual and physical abuse in prison. He may end up having a dress put and lipstick put on him. Or get sold out to other inmates. That being said his life in prison will be a living hell. I am so glad that he was arrested and prosecuted. Too many people are getting away with assaulting and even murdering
mhoffman953
He should get raped in prison. Too bad tax payers have to pay to feed him in prison. They should enforce the death penalty
Jaxton
The black community is always happy to embrace the black identityl if it works in its favor PR-wise. However, this same community is very unwilling to embrace the black identity in relation to black perpetrators of crime.
You can’t have it both ways.
SiamSam
Yes, remember Blackness and black identity is progressive and wonderful and positive and self-affirming but being merely interested in and fond of your heritage as a white person is NAZIFARRIGHTBIGOTHITLERXENOPHOBICKKKRACISTRACISTRACISTRAAAACIIIIIIIIST This double standard is one reason why Trump got elected.
demetreus
EITHER CAN YOU. WHITE PEOPLE HAVE A HISTORY OF TORTURE, SLAVERY, STEALING AND SUPPRESSION.
The white community is always happy to embrace the white identity if it works in its favor PR-wise. However, this same community is very unwilling to embrace the white identity in relation to the white history of crimes and the negative impact they have on other races today.
You can’t have it both ways
BigData
I’ve been a long time Queerty reader and iv’e never felt the need to comment on a story before, however the comments to this story struck a chord with me. some of the readers on this site repeatedly show what disgusting human being they are, this thread being no exception. Iv’e read comments on this site before that have given me pause but never have i witnessed such a concentration of vial remarks. As a homosexual person of color I’m appalled at some of the outright prejudice on display in this comment section emotionally stunted trolls. Obviously the last thing i expect is for said users to care about me or my feelings on the matter but i thought there needed to be more comments recognizing this issue. To any of my LGBTQ PoC family reading these comments, realize the rants of these incredibly small individuals don’t make your existence or experiences any less valid.
SiamSam
It’s a pity you don’t live up to your handle. Your comment is devoid of any “data”, arguments or evidence that support your claim remarks are “vial” (sic) or your implication other posters are racist. Whether you are a “homosexual person of color (*gag* What’s wrong with “gay black man?”) is unimportant. Reality is blind to your race, sex, orientation or anything else. Select a comment you think is incorrect or misleading and then demonstrate WHY it is so with facts, logic, reason. Just saying X is Y doesn’t make it so.
BigData
cool… but like i said in my comment i don’t expect to change your mind nor do i feel the need to debate my feelings on this matter with you and how i identify myself is entirely up to me. Never once did i use the word racist, but honestly if the shoe fits. the only real pity is that you think you’re smug response bares any weight. if you need examples of how racial biased plays into this read any of the hateful comments that came before mine (this isn’t a term paper i’m not making you a bibliography) those who got anything from my comment was probably its intended audience. stay pressed.
DCguy
Isn’t it interesting that the same troll screenames on here attacking balck people are the exact same ones that consistently defend Republican bigots on here.
Just more proof that Republicans hate all minorities.
The troll screenames (All owned by former screename Mo Bro) on here attacking black people who also defend the GOP anti-lgbt bigots.
jhon_siders
mhoffman953
Ummmm Yeah
Jaxton
SiamSam
Oh, and Mo Bro, quick hint, if you’re trying to slip in a newer screename like SiamSam, best not to use some of your little coded phrases bitching about “SJWs” right off the bat, it exposes them VERY fast.
mhoffman953
@DCguy
How is it “racist” and “attacking black people” to simply state FBI statistics?
demetreus
Ha! GREAT CATCH!
jhon_siders
Excuse me I do not support Trump I do think the border should be secured And yes you would have to have your head in the sand not to see who is committing the most violent crimes ! at age 13 I working pumping gas in Miami I was robbed 3 times 1 black 1 Cuban 1 white guy the black one was the only one that shot me ! he was caught had a long record of violent offences was given 2 years let out in 6 months but was killed robbing a Cuban owned store a short time later . When you are a victim you have a dose or reality really quick .
Amalgamate
String him up!!
ALLENGRUNDEN
Hi, Being gay is a gift… I recently found out that my ex-Boyfriend who used to love me was put under a love spell by another man. They considered themselves as couples. It really broke me. I was really worried about him as to what could happen to him. I still loved him. We were in a ldr and I couldn’t see him… sWe still communicated from time to time but he made sure he doesn’t get found out by the man. Idt got frustrating as how he cannot see past the spell! I really wanted him back and also to be safe first and foremost and be away from that man. I also met Dr. Akim online and he helped me break the blackmagic on him and in 40 hours he called me and begged me to take him back. Akim’s website:https://prayerstosavemarriages.wordpress.com will be much appreciated if you contact him for marriage and relationship problems cos i promised to talk about him all over the internet 🙂
demetreus
FBI CRIME REPORT LISTS THE WHITE RACE AS THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE COMMITING HATE CRIMES AT 44 % AND THE MOST VIOLENT. A more recent story not covered on this site, was about a straight white male luring a gay white male into the woods for sex, when really he and his other whife friends were looking to rob the gay man. They violently killed the gay man.
SHALL WE DISCUSS THE REPORTED RACE MOST LIKLEY TO RAPE SOMEONE?
OR THE RACE THAT HAS THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF SERIAL KILLERS?
demetreus
MY BAD, I MEANT TO WRITE 46% OF HATE CRIMES ARE COMMITED BY THE WHITE RACE.
Notright
Okay I read more here. It appears to be from a blog but it has some more information. Apparently he had accomplices and they are facing life sentences. Glad to hear it. It’s a gay man’s biggest fear to have a random assault you! https://gayblackproud.org/brother-gets-15-years-for-gay-bash/
Notright
Not sure what race has to do with this story though.
Bob LaBlah
He himself looks very gay. Is this what they call a dl hookup gone wrong?