TEXAS
Two men were indicted for a federal hate crime against a gay black man who they invited into an apartment in Corpus Christi and over a three hour period, they beat and totured the man, sometimes using weapons.
The weapons included a frying pan, coffee mug, a belt and a chair, authorities said.
During the assault, officials said the conspirators poured a household cleaning agent or chemical solution onto the man’s face and eyes, pistol whipped him with a handgun and whipped him with a belt, according to the allegations.
While in the apartment, the defendants allegedly called the victim racial and homophobic remarks.
The indictment charges Jimmy Garza Jr., 32, and Ramiro Serrata Jr., 22, with conspiracy to commit hate crimes, a hate crime violation based on race and color, a hate crime violation based on sexual orientation and using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
The indictment alleges that on Mar. 8, 2012, Garza and Serrata conspired to assault a gay, African-American man because of his race, color and sexual orientation.
When the man began to bleed, the defendants allegedly forced him to remove all of his clothing and clean up the blood throughout the apartment. The indictment further alleges that after the man was completely naked, the defendants sodomized him using a broom or mop and another unknown object, according to officials.
A detention hearing has been set for Thursday
Garza, of Corpus Christi, Texas, is currently in custody on unrelated charges and is expected to be transferred to federal custody and make an appearance on these charges on next week.
The conspirators also allegedly stopped the man from leaving the apartment by physical force and threats of force. The man eventually escaped the apartment by jumping out of a window, officials said.
If convicted, officials said both Garza and Serrata are facing up to life in prison.