Thread by @DavidBegnaud

BREAKING: The U.S. Justice Dept’s Civil Rights Division has charged 3 men in Puerto Rico with a conspiracy to commit a hate crime against ‘Alexa’, a transgender woman who was murdered on the island in 2020. Details of what the suspects allegedly did is below in this thread:

Prosecutors alleged that the defendants selected Alexa as the target of their assault because of her “actual and perceived gender identity”. The suspects allegedly used a cell phone to record the harassment and assault of Alexa.

The suspects allegedly used a car to travel to multiple locations to get a paintball gun and paintballs to shoot and cause injury to Alexa.

According to prosecutors, on or about February 24, 2020 a member of the conspiracy drove a car occupied by the other co-conspirators.

According to prosecutors, the conspirators recognized Alexa from social media posts previously identifying her as a man who entered the women’s restroom at a local restaurant.

At least one of the posts, prosecutors allege, included a photo of Alexa in the local restaurant wearing women’s clothing.

According to prosecutors, at least one member of the conspiracy shouted threatening and derogatory comments at Alexa from the window of the car yelling the phrase “la loca” - or the crazy woman.

According to prosecutors, after verbally harassing Alexa the conspirators drove to get a paintball gun and paintballs to be used to shoot at Alexa

According to prosecutors, after retrieving the paintball gun and paintballs the conspirators drove back to the place and fired paintballs at Alexa.

According to prosecutors, at least one conspirator used a cell phone to send at least one of the videos to one or more persons.

The suspects are identified as: Anthony Stephen Lobos Ruiz
Jordanay Rafael Laboy Garcia
Christian Yamaurie Rivera Ortero

The defendants allegedly: knowingly & willfully combined conspired & agreed with each other & with others known & unknown to a grand jury to willfully cause bodily injury to, and through the use of a dangerous weapon cause bodily injury to Alexa because of her gender identity.

It is very important to note that these three suspects are NOY charged with murder. They are not implicated in the death of Alexa. So, her murder remains unsolved, as of this point.

This was the pic posted on social media showing Alexa inside of a McDonald’s in Toa Baja Puerto Rico. It was posted by someone who used hateful language, aimed at Alexa‘s perceived identity, & told people to watch out for her. Prosecutor say she was targeted b/c of that pic/post.

The three men are charged with the following:

Anthony Steven Lobos Ruis:
Count 1: Conspiracy to Commit Hate Crime Act
Count 2: Hate Crimes Prevention Act
Count 3: Obstruction of Justice

Jordany Rafael Laboy Garcia:
Count 1: Conspiracy to Commit Hate Crime Act
Count 2: Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Christian Yamaurie Rivera Otero:
Count 1: Conspiracy to Commit Hate Crime Act
Count 2: Hate Crimes Prevention Act
Count 3: Obstruction of Justice

Typo. Should be NOT.