Hate Crime Assault Draws 3 More Arrests After Beating Near MD College: Police

SALISBURY, MD — Three more hate crime assault suspects were arrested after a victim "was targeted due to his sexual preferences" near Salisbury University, authorities said this week.

Police on Thursday announced the arrests of:

• Sean Antone, 19, of West Friendship
• Benjamin Brandenburg, 18, of Glyndon
• Logan Clark, 19, of Severna Park

That brings the total to 15 arrests after last month's attack, where fraternity members are accused of beating an adult male who thought he was meeting a 16-year-old for sex. The age of sexual consent is 16 in Maryland.

Officers said the Howard County Police Department took Antone into custody on Nov. 7

The Salisbury Police Department said it took Brandenburg into custody on Wednesday.

Clark turned himself into the Salisbury Police Department on Thursday, authorities said.

Officers said all known suspects have been charged.

The fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said it swiftly expelled its accused members.

SAE said the actions of its expelled members "do not align with the values of our organization or reflect the principles of our Fraternity's creed, The True Gentleman."

"We remain committed to fostering an environment of respect, integrity, and belonging—values that are fundamental to both our chapter and SAE nationwide," SAE said in a statement obtained by WBAL and WJZ. "Sigma Alpha Epsilon condemns hate and violence in any form, and we are disappointed that members of our chapter were involved in such an act. The Fraternity Service Center has reviewed the circumstances surrounding the incident and has confirmed that it was isolated to the expelled individuals. The remaining members of our chapter are devoted to our mission and continue to uphold the high standards expected of Sigma Alpha Epsilon."

Salisbury University said it suspended the suspects, restricting them from campus and prohibiting them from partaking in courses in-person and virtually.

The college said it also suspended Salisbury's SAE chapter in accordance with the Code of Student Organization Standards.

"Our community is reeling from an act of visceral hate," Salisbury University President Carolyn Ringer Lepre said in a Nov. 7 letter to the college community. "We are witnessing a campus filled with anguish that something so unspeakable could happen from within the community that we all love."

Lepre plans to form a task force on LGBTQ+ inclusiveness "in the coming days." The college also held a nonviolence and unity walk this week.

"While these crimes were not perpetrated against another student, the thought of this happening to anyone — regardless of the circumstances — is dismaying," Lepre said. "As we try to heal, we need to acknowledge the harm that hate and violence have brought to our campus, and we must listen to the voices of the LGBTQ+ community."

Police announced the first round of arrests on Nov. 5, identifying the initial suspects as:

• Ryder Baker, 20, of Olney
• Bennan Aird, 18, of Milton, Delaware
• Riley Brister, 20, of Davidsonville
• Cruz Cespedes, 19, of Jarrettsville
• Dylan Earp, 20, of Gambrills
• Elijah Johnson, 19, of Crofton
• Zachary Leinemann, 18, of Crofton

Officers on Nov. 7 identified the additional arrestees as:

• Cameron Guy, 18, of Baltimore
• Jacob Howard, 19, of Elkridge
• Eric Sinclair, 21, of Mount Airy
• Patrick Gutierrez, 19, of Salisbury
• Dylan Pietuszka, 20, of Friendship

Authorities said the suspects, all members or associates of a Salisbury fraternity, used social media to lure the victim to an off-campus apartment in the 1400 block of University Terrace "under false pretenses."

Charging documents obtained by WBOC said Leinemann used the dating app Grindr to pose as a 16-year-old and then eventually invited the victim to the apartment under the pretense of sex.

Police said numerous college-aged men surrounded the victim when he entered the apartment on Oct. 15 and forced him to sit in a chair in the middle of the living room.

Officers said the suspects kicked, punched and spat on the victim while calling him derogatory names.

Authorities said the victim tried to leave multiple times, but he was thrown on the floor during each attempt to flee.

The assault lasted for several minutes, police said.

Officers said the victim suffered a broken rib and bruising throughout his body.

The Salisbury University Police Department reported the case to the Salisbury Police Department on Oct. 31.

Detectives said they met with witnesses and watched cell phone video of the attack.

Officers said suspects were charged with first-degree assault, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, and the associated hate crime charges.

Lepre wrote a letter to the college community on Nov. 5, informing them of that day's arrests. Lepre said, "The thought of SU students perpetrating crimes of such a disturbing nature is truly horrifying."

"Moments like these are profoundly difficult to communicate," Lepre said. "As President of the University, a resident of this community, and the mother of two college students, the right words escape me — they feel inadequate in fully conveying the weight of the shock and disbelief we all share."

Lepre confirmed that the suspects are all Salisbury University students and that some are fraternity members.

"I have grown to cherish the warmth, compassion, and acceptance that define this community we've built together," Lepre said. "These actions do not reflect the SU that I know and love. A place where everyone should feel safe and free from harm. A place where violence is unacceptable."

Lepre urged community members to "allow the investigatory process to take place without speculation" because "Our institution believes in due process and the right to a fair investigation."

"Acts of violence toward LGBTQ+ and Ally communities are not only destructive but at odds with the principles of community, respect, and belonging that bind us together as a university," Lepre said.

Police asked anybody with information on this assault or similar crimes to call (410) 548-3165. Tipsters can stay anonymous by dialing (410) 548-1776.

Related:

• Hate Crime Attack: 5 More MD Students Arrested, Suspects Expelled From Fraternity
• 7 Salisbury University Students Arrested In Hate Crime Assault: Police