Salisbury, Maryland – Twelve students from Salisbury University have been charged with a hate crime following an alleged assault on a man based on his sexual orientation, according to the Salisbury Police Department. The incident, which occurred on October 15, has brought serious charges against the students involved.
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Details of the Alleged Assault
Police believe the victim was lured to an off-campus apartment complex through a social media account set up by the suspects, a group of college-aged men. Upon arrival, the victim was led inside, where he was reportedly surrounded and forced to sit in a chair by the suspects.
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According to a statement from the Salisbury Police Department, the victim endured verbal and physical abuse, including being “kicked, punched, and spit on” while the suspects hurled derogatory names at him.
The victim informed detectives that he attempted to leave the apartment several times but was forcibly restrained and pushed to the floor, preventing his escape. Eventually, he managed to leave the premises and sought medical attention, where he was diagnosed with a broken rib and bruising across his body.
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Identification of the Suspects
The victim reported the incident to authorities on October 31, leading to the identification of seven individuals:
- Bennan Aird, 18
- Ryder Baker, 20
- Riley Brister, 20
- Cruz Cespedes, 19
- Dylan Earp, 20
- Elijah Johnson, 19
- Zachary Leinemann, 18
On Thursday, police identified and charged an additional five individuals involved:
- Patrick Gutierrez, 19
- Cameron Guy, 18
- Jacob Howard, 19
- Dylan Pietuszka, 20
- Eric Sinclair, 21
All twelve suspects have been linked to a fraternity at Salisbury University.
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Charges Against the Students
The suspects face multiple charges, including:
- Hate crime
- Assault in the first degree
- False imprisonment
- Reckless endangerment
The incident remains under investigation, and Salisbury University has yet to release a statement regarding the charges against its students.
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