Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime Charges Related to Targeting Gay Men on Dating App

According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release dated June 3, 2021, Daniel Jenkins, 22, pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime and two related charges for plans to target gay men with violent crimes.

Released court documents state that Jenkins, along with co-conspirators, used a dating app for gay men called Grindr to lure the men into empty apartments in Dallas, TX and hold them against their will. During this time, Jenkins and his co-conspirators would take their vehicles and personal property as well as take their ATM cards and rob them. One victim was physically injured and all were taunted by the Jenkins for their sexual orientation.

Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah of the Northern District of Texas said of the crime, “These defendants brutalized multiple victims, singling them out due to their sexual orientation. We cannot allow this sort of violence to fester unchecked. The Department of Justice is committed to prosecuting hate crimes. In the meantime, we urge dating app users to remain vigilant. Unfortunately, predators often lurk online.” 

Co-conspirators in this case were Michael Atkinson, who pleaded guilty in March 2019 to conspiracy and kidnapping charges in connection with this case, and Daryl Henry and Pablo Ceniceros-Deleon, who pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime and other charges in December 2019.

FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno explained, “We are committed to the pursuit of offenders and holding them accountable for perpetrating these harmful crimes. No one should have to live in fear of violence because of who they are, where they are from or what they believe. We will continue working with our law enforcement and community partners to detect and prevent violent incidents motivated by hate or bias. We also urge the public to report any suspected hate crimes to the FBI and local law enforcement.”