Three Puerto Rican men were charged with a hate crime after allegedly committing assault with a paintball gun.
Jordany Rafael Laboy Garcia, Christian Yamaurie Rivera Otero, and Anthony Steven Lobos Ruiz were allegedly driving in Toa Baja on Feb. 24, 2020, when they saw the victim, a biological male who identifies as a woman, walking on the side of the road.
TRANSGENDER WOMAN WEIGHTLIFTER FAILS TO COMPLETE LIFTS AND WON’T MOVE FORWARD
They recognized her from a social media post identifying her as a man who tried to enter the women’s bathroom at a nearby restaurant, according to the indictment.
The three men began to harass her verbally, then obtained a paintball gun to shoot at her, according to a Department of Justice press release. They allegedly accosted her again and began shooting paintballs at her and recorded their actions on video using their phone.
The men deleted at least one of the videos of the assault, the indictment stated.
The three face up to 10 years in prison if convicted for the hate crime and five years in prison for the conspiracy charge. They could also face a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The San Juan Field Office of the FBI is investigating the case.
