9 Salisbury University students sentenced in connection to hate crime attack
BALTIMORE -- Nine Salisbury University students have been sentenced in connection to an off-campus hate crime attack in October 2024, WBOC reported Monday.
According to investigators, a suspect created an account on Grindr, a dating app used primarily by gay and bisexual men. On October 15, 2024, the suspect posed as a 16-year-old and lured the victim to an apartment near Salisbury University, according to court documents.
When the victim arrived, he was attacked by "approximately 15 college-aged males" who slapped, punched, kicked, and spit on the victim while yelling an anti-gay slur.
The victim tried to flee the apartment but was thrown to the floor repeatedly, according to police. He eventually escaped, but was hospitalized for a broken rib.
After an investigation, police arrested and charged 15 Salisbury University students. Their felony assault and hate crime charges were later reduced to misdemeanor false imprisonment and second-degree assault charges.
Three of the students pleaded guilty to misdemeanor false imprisonment last week.
Sean Antone, 19, and Logan Clark, 20, plead guilty to false imprisonment - but both had their charge of second-degree assault indefinitely postponed, WBOC reported. A third student, Dylan Pietuszka, 20, was sentenced to two years with all but 79 days suspended as well as 18 months of supervised probation.
As of January 29, a total of nine students pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of either second-degree assault or false imprisonment. According to court documents, all the students will see jail time - even though their initial sentences were reduced. Each student has also been sentenced to 18 months of probation.
University and fraternity leaders respond
After the charges were announced, Salisbury University officials condemned acts of hate and suspended the involved students and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter.
A school spokesman told WJZ the students were not allowed on campus property, couldn't take classes online or virtually, and were not allowed to attend Salisbury University-sponsored events.
The fraternity chapter also expelled the members who were charged in the attack.
"These allegations are very shocking and disturbing. We've opened up counseling for students who may need support at this time, and we've also taken steps toward making sure the LGBTQ community on campus feels supported at this time," Jason Rhodes, a university spokesperson said.
The students that are still enrolled at the university remain suspended, and banned from campus by order of the courts. The charged students will an internal hearing at the University to determine any violations of the Student Code of Community Standards. Sanctions for violations. Punishments could range from a warning to a dismissal, a spokesperson for Salisbury University told WBOC.
Following the attack, the university moved to form a task force on LGBTQ inclusiveness.
"The first initial response was heartbreak mixed with outrage. There's no reason something like this should happen just for somebody being who they are," said Mark DeLancey, executive director of Salisbury PFLAG, an organization that advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.
