NY Officials Visit Site Where Gang Members Tortured Gays
- Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:37pm by
Scott Baker
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NEW YORK (AP) — New York City leaders are expressing outrage over a horrific anti-gay gang attack on three men in the Bronx.
Five City Council members visited the block Saturday where a street gang is accused of staging a string of torture assaults inside a vacant apartment.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is gay, passed out leaflets imploring residents to turn in two suspects still at large.
Police say the gang went berserk after learning that a 17-year-old recruit was gay.
Investigators say the teen was stripped, beaten and sodomized with a plunger handle. They say the attackers then grabbed a second teen and tortured him, too.
A third attack involved a 30-year-old man who was lured to the apartment and sodomized with a miniature baseball bat.
Seven suspects are under arrest. Two more are being sought.
NEW YORK (AP) — Members of a street gang who discovered one of their teenage recruits was gay brutally beat and tortured him and two other people in gruesome assaults, police said. The attack came amid heightened attention nationwide to anti-gay bullying after a string of suicides attributed to it last month.
Seven of the suspects in the attacks were arrested and being held pending arraignment on charges of robbery, sodomy, menacing and assault as hate crimes. Two others were being sought.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the first of the four assaults in the most recent case occurred at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday.
The first victim, a 17-year-old potential recruit for the Latin King Goonies street gang, was grabbed by gang members and taken to an empty Bronx apartment they used for parties and sex, police said. The teen was stripped, beaten and sodomized with a wooden plunger handle, police said.
The attackers, apparently angry he was gay, yelled anti-gay insults and questioned him about his contact with a 30-year-old man, police said.
The teen was eventually released and instructed not to tell anyone. He walked to a hospital where he was treated, but he reported that his injuries were from a robbery.
Using information gleaned from their interrogation of the recruit, the attackers then descended on another 17-year-old also thought to have had a relationship with the 30-year-old, police said. Both were lured to the same apartment.
The second teen was assaulted at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, police said. The 30-year-old arrived about an hour later with malt liquor, thinking he was going to a party. He was stripped to his underwear and tied to a chair opposite the other teen, who was forced by the angry mob to burn the man with cigarettes, police said. They beat the 30-year-old, forced him to drink copious amounts of the malt liquor he brought and sodomized him with a small baseball bat, police said.
“These suspects employed terrible wolf-pack odds of nine-against-one, odds which revealed them as predators whose crimes were as cowardly as they were despicable,” Kelly said Friday.
During the attack, some of the assailants went to the 30-year-old’s home, where they attacked his older brother and robbed him of $1,000, a 52-inch TV and two debit cards, police said.
The victims were eventually freed, hospitalized and treated.
The assailants scrubbed the scene top-to-bottom with bleach, even repainting the walls to make it look new, police said.
“They could clean, but they couldn’t hide,” Kelly said.
Investigators said they found alcohol cans and hair at the scene. And an onlooker slipped a phone number to detectives, leading them to the primary suspect. The victims, initially reluctant, also started to divulge more details about the assaults, Kelly said. The Hate Crimes Task Force took over the investigation, along with Bronx robbery and gang division and special victims squad, and arrested the seven men.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the city’s highest-ranking openly gay official, called the attacks “vile” and “horrifying.”
“These attacks are appalling and are even more despicable because the victims were clearly targeted in acts of hate simply because they are gay,” Quinn said. “The cowardly few who committed these crimes do not represent New Yorkers, and our community will not be cowed by such violence.”
A weekend rally on anti-gay bias was planned following other crimes against gays.
On Sunday, a patron at the Stonewall Inn, a symbol of the gay rights movement since protests over a 1969 police raid there, was beaten in an anti-gay bias attack, according to prosecutors. Two suspects in the case were charged. Their attorneys say they’re not guilty.
That attack followed the Sept. 22 death of New Jersey college student Tyler Clementi, who jumped off the George Washington Bridge after his sexual encounter with a man in his dorm room was secretly streamed online. The student’s roommate and another freshman have been charged with invasion of privacy. Authorities are considering bias-crime charges.
The attacks remain all too common, and there is still a stigma to being a lesbian, gay, bisexual or trangendered person, said Sharon Stapel, executive director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, which works to combat attacks on gays and others. That stigma leads to such attacks and to young people feeling their only alternative is suicide.
“We have to stop thinking that it’s OK to bully LGBT people or make fun of LGBT people,” Stapel said.
“What we see now is the link between casual sort of comments and the real and horrific violence that results because those comments contribute to an entire culture of violence,” she said.
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Comments (64)
ARCHON
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 8:44amNOBODY CARES that this is a VIOLENT STREET GANG routinely invloved in MURDER, EXTORTION, DRUG TRAFFICKING, PROSTITUTION…UNTIL they beat-down a couple of their own members for ALLEGEDLY BEING HOMOSEXUALS?
Hypocrisy much?
Report Post »Conservative Grinch
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 7:19amI see that other news sites have named names. What is the AP so afraid about? Are they afraid that we’ll discover that gain members are Hispanic and in the US illegally? Here is where the Blaze needs to step up. I would like to know the background of the perps. I want to know who they are.
For Example:
The threats were allegedly made by ringleader Ildefonso (Cheto) Mendez, who orchestrated the homophobic assaults after learning that a 17-year-old gang recruit was gay. Mendez was charged with robbery in 2005 and with gun possession in 2007 and 2009, records show. Neighbors at his E. 197th St. building described Mendez rounding up friends to torture a stray cat two months ago. “One of the cat’s eyes was out and one of these [guys] was poking its eye socket with a stick,” said the neighbor. “They were cheering like they just scored a touchdown.”
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/10/10/2010-10-10_members_of_bronx_gang_say_they_were_victims_themselves_torture_them_or_well_tort.html?r=ny_local#ixzz11xADA52k
Report Post »free2bme1961
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:56amIt has NEVER made sense to me that gangs can even exist. We can fight wars,allow pedphiles to run amok over the internet, be told what we can and can’t eat; but,we have no resources to keep vile gangs from their entitlment to exist! We have SWAT teams,etc, and I know that if a clear message were given; to these scumbags a long time ago,along with the government having our best interests at heart; it would be a no brainer. It’s the same with the KKK, somebody(s) must find their existance necessary in order to fulfill their agenda!
Report Post »It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the American people are constantly being “set up” to look: hateful, racist,anti-religious,hateful,terrorist, hatefull,,,.blah, blah, blah!!!
Coz weez too stupid to C what is actually happening,..Duh! Loss of freedom;Loss of freedom, Loss of freedom……………………..BUT; the brainwashing has to come first!…and for the weak-minded, so simple to accomplish!
Justthefactsmam
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:48amI’ve always had a problem with “Hate Crimes” Isn’t the perpetration of any crime nothing but hate when you get to the bottom of it. (Please excuse the pun) As with any “hate” crime, when it is black on black assult, white on white assult, straight on straight assult etc…it’s just assult…but when it’s white on black assult, straight on gay assult…never mind…just answered my own question.
Report Post »ruleoflaw1776
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 1:45pmPrecisely why our FF’s established the rule of law, as opposed to the whim of a judge or angry mob, Justthefactsmam. Lady Justice is supposed to be blind.
Report Post »Conservative Grinch
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:43amOnce again with AP we are left to game called name that ethic group. Who were these gang members that assailed the homos? I think the gang name gives a clue: Latin King Goonies. So, how many illegal aliens were involved in this brutal attack?
But, I guess we can learn one thing about the lame stream media‘s and left’s use of victim-hood and mascots: Queerness trumps ethnicity and immigration status when it comes to manufacturing outrage. If the victims were straight and white this story would not even make it in the back of the paper.
Report Post »Arc
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:34amSomehow “fighting fire with fire” sounds appropriate but then that wouldn’t be politically correct.
Report Post »We need to “deep six” the Dept of Corrections and replace it with the Dept of Punishment. OK OK, I’ll pray for them while I punish them. Sound fair????
puck30
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 3:52amSo nobody had a real problem with this gang until they beat up a gay dude. Now something has to be done.
Report Post »There’s no such thing as selective hate. People beat people up because they either hate the person or they have hate in their heart.
Damage6
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 3:19amI’m waiting for the ******** to start blaming Christians in general and Glenn Beck in particualar for inciting this crime.
Report Post »Veritas
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 3:16amThe Devil is alive and well! He hates us all! He allowed the perversions to infiltrate both of the parties.
Report Post »uhadenoughyet.com
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 3:04amWhy is it that the very people who are screaming, you dont have the right to say my opinion dont count, are saying with the same voice, by the way your opinion that my opinion dont count doesnt count?
Report Post »flamedone1968
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 2:48amSick! Well may those with bats fear for their virginity in prison and the 30 year old find no satisfaction in prison. May the young men find their gay curiosities satisfied, and in the end may they all go straight.
Report Post »Patriot Z
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 2:22amwhy is this worse than the crap that cowardly gangs do everyday.?because the victims were gay? Gangs are cowards by nature, like rabid dogs you dont talk to them, you put a bullet in their heads. yeah I said it. Im tired of A. same crimes being classified better or worse due to the victim, and B. criminals not being punished. no more jail for gangs. they just get stronger and worse. gang member commits a violent crime. 1 neck, 1 blade.
Report Post »Jetson
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 2:17amSarcasm: I’m glad some of the commenters here feel superior to gay people. So courageous and righteous! Don’t forget that your smarter than children too. You can kick puppies. Target minorities.
laugh at cripples. How about spreading unnecessary hate anonymously online?
Not sarcasm: Look at yourself and your own weaknesses and apply the same level of criticism.
BTW I’m not gay I just hate cowards.
Report Post »ati058
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:44amAmen.
Report Post »deja33
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:28amthank you
Report Post »Joseph8
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:25pmsarcasm: amen
Report Post »not sarcasm:i hate coward callers
FLALawMan
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 4:56pmAlright, Cupcake. Let me see if I have this right. I see the overwhelming majority of posts supporting the fact that the behavior of the gang is wrong, but because that same majority feels that any crime should be tried equally we are all somehow feeling superior to anyone? Pay attention numb-nuts…a crime is crime and the severity of the crime should dictate the terms of the punishment. We do NOT need a judge or a prosecutor trying to get promoted on the inhuman thoughts of a thug. And if hate crimes are such a good idea, what about what happened in Knoxville, TN? No one is superior to any other person except as to how that person decides to live their life. As long as a person is productive and self sufficient I don’t give a damn about their sexual orientation. Now get back in your basement and get a damned clue!
Report Post »sarnold51
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 2:02amThe attack came amid heightened attention nationwide to anti-gay bullying after a string of suicides attributed to it last month.
What string of suicides? They only mention one suicide, since when is one suicide? I know that seems picky but, it seems factually incorrect and overblown reports like this just leads to more problems.
The attack was horrible and no one should ever do something like this to any other living being. Why would that one boy want to join a gang like this? Why did he think they did in that gang? Hold Bible Study groups? And I personally do not approve in any way of this behavior but, I also do not approve of a 30 year old man with a 17 year old.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 1:01amthe leftwing media will never report on this.
it is not in their interest.
good job, blaze.
it crosses the streams….
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:56amI swear an alien from another planet monitoring our media for the past few days must think most of our population is gay. There is this story, of course. There are bloggers claiming Christians promote gay suicides. CNN, ABC, NBC & MSNBC and probably more are devoting a lot of time on gay bullying and gay teen suicide. ABC’s top ten stars sticking up for gay teens.
Report Post »It‘s not that I’m a homophobe, it‘s that most decent people don’t put their sexuality on display, no matter what that sexuality might be. How did we become a society that spends so much of it’s time and effort promoting such things? I actually know the answer but that’s content for another story.
What I want to know about another person is the content of their character.
MrButcher
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 1:08amthere are no aliens and no gods.
only idiots.
humanity is in so much trouble.
Report Post »RealityCheck
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 1:33am@BOILITDOWN
Report Post »Exactly, couldn’t agree more.
walkwithme1966
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 2:31pmI believe that it is making the news because so many teenagers this week committed suicide because of this issue. This and the student at Rudgers who jumped from a bridge. These issues needed to be talked about – how we can protect our youth who are struggling with their sexuality.
http://wp.me/pYLB7-cu
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:35amThink about people…who wants to become a target for any reason? Raise your hand folks otherwise lay off. I say live and let live.
Report Post »Red Neckerson
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:17amSodomites sodomizing Sodomites what is the world coming to?
MrButcher
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 1:04amthat is the question.
it will be interesting…
Report Post »joseph Fawcett
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:16amthis is terrible, very terrible! I can’t say anything else about it. Except that there is some truth to the notion that those that hate the gays the most and do this kind of things are fighting their own homosexual “feelings”. What a shame this is!
http://www.josephfawcettart.com (western artist)
Report Post »missmarie
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:08amI don’t need to know why. A group of thugs who torture, assault, sodomize, rob, burn, and bind someone to a chair need to be locked up. Period. Throw away the key.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:03amGang members shouldn’t be free in the streets to start with anti gay or not .
Report Post »We are policing some countries that no matter on how much you help them they hate us & some of these BRAVE soldiers came back safe from the war zone only to be shot dead by gangs .
Bring the troops back home to finish up on gangs & drug dealers .
joseph Fawcett
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:21amthat is a great idea and they can also get containment of the boarders too! We really could use the brave men and women here at home right now to fight our homeland battles!
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 3:56amYep borders too .
Report Post »CAMOCOWBOY777
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 7:46amBring the troops back home to finish up on gangs & drug dealers
Report Post »AMEN SISTER!
We have troops all over the world protecting people from other nations, when the purpose of the U.S. Military (of which I am a proud veteran) is the protect the citizens of the United States
cheezwhiz
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:00amand questioned him about his contact with a 30-year-old man, police said.
Report Post »—————-
So what did police do with the pedophile ?
Or is it OK if its a gay pedophile because Kevin Jennings
( Hussain’s f1$t!ng Czar) would certainly approve of such “relationship”
truthandlogic
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 3:25amYeah, good question. Why didn’t they arrest the 30 year old? Last time I checked a 17 year old is a minor. I’m not advocating the beating of the teens but I think beating up pedophiles is acceptable. Like shooting a Nazi while living in occupied France during WWII. They shouldn‘t be doing what they are doing and they just got what’s coming to them.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:55pmSo any bets Latin King Goonies voted for Obama ?
Report Post »Looks like a bunch of welfare kids proud of their heritage and LaRaza members during day time .
In short, upstanding citizens of their community.
ADMIRAL747
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:48pmOk Richard Maddow, what sarcastic crap do you have on this one?
Report Post »HippoNips
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:47pmUmm, HUH?
Report Post »One was a gang member want to be an the other was a pedophile.
Why is the gay community supporting these people?
uhadenoughyet.com
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 1:22amSo basically when these הכרתי thugs have been going around victimizing everybody in their “turf” that’s not a hate crime, but as soon as they unleash on “gay” people, suddenly their anonymity and the cloaking of their crimes are unacceptable? hmmmm is right, that’s what these so called “gay rights” and gay activists don’t get, being gay doesn’t entitle anyone to treating them badly, but being gay don’t give anyone special immunity from street scum either, the hypocrisy is astounding and it smells like something I had to process through my colon before I got rid of it! Where in the hell were these boy lovers and carpet munchers when these thugs were robbing , raping, torturing and ripping off or selling drugs to all the NON gay members of their community.
Report Post »Joseph8
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 2:05amWonder if the gay community will have a “silent protest” and surround the neighborhoods where these gangs are.
Report Post »Joseph8
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 2:08amMichael Scott: I am a victim of a hate crime. I think Stanley knows what I’m talking about.
Report Post »Stanley: That’s not what a hate crime is.
Michael Scott: Well, I hated it! A lot!
TruthTalker
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 2:24amMy house was burglarized by a black dude. I am white. I didnt select who burglarized me. He picked me. Obvious to us all, it was a hate crime. Race on race. No arguement there. Give him another 30 years….Or does it only work the other way around… not sure.. trying to keep up with the PC police. A cirme is a crime people.
Report Post »uneedmorekoolaid
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 3:22amthey were at the one nation of communist rally and realized they need to hire more people in their (union) gang cause so many drug dealers are outta work cause those rich people arent buying drugs since they aren’t working, trick;e down effect of voting for obama hehehe
weather he was gay or not it is horrifying what they did and should be thrown in prison and tell the other inmates they are child molesters oh yeah they are. enjoy bubba in prison tough guys.
Report Post »Post-Progressive American
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 7:00amI agree that what happened to these individuals is despicable, no doubt.
But I also have issues with laws regarding “hate crimes,” “hate speech,” or anything else of the sort. We have laws on the books to cover the crimes in question, and the laws should be applied equally…EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL. I contend that nearly all crimes are ultimately based in some form of hate, so the specific distinctions of “hate crimes” are nothing more than penalties imposed by the Government for “incorrect” thoughts which lead to criminal behavior.
Once we allow the law to be used to punish these actions taken due to “incorrect” thoughts, where will it end? Will we punish a public speaker if someone in the audience later commits a related crime (oh, we do that already)?
More importantly, if “incorrect” thoughts are punishable, shouldn’t “correct” thoughts be rewarded? Maybe we will start NOT prosecuting violence by Liberals against Conservatives, since we all know conservatives are hateful (oh, wait…we do that…recall the SEIU beat-down), or maybe choose to NOT prosecute minorities for voter intimidation, since we all know they are oppressed (oh, wait…we did that, too).
Protect the innocent, punish the guilty…EQUALLY
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 8:06amI can hear Al Sharpton pressing his suit and dusting off his soapbox for this. There has GOT to be a camera SOMEWHERE right?
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