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Man Who Used Grindr To Rob And Assault Gay Men Gets 15 Years In Prison

Nigel Garrett was part of a group of assailants who terrorized North Texas.

A man convicted of using Grindr to violently rob gay men in Texas has received a 15-year prison sentence.

Nigel Garrett, 21, and three other Dallas men were charged with kidnapping, carjacking, conspiracy, hate crimes, and using firearms to commit violent crimes, among other offenses.

Fannin County Jail

According to the indictment, Garrett (above) and his accomplices would arrange to meet their victims online: Over a three-week period they staged four home invasions in North Texas—tying their victims up, assaulting them and robbing them at gunpoint as they yelled homophobic slurs.

Following a plea agreement, Garrett was sentenced Wednesday. The other three suspects—Anthony Shelton, 19; Chancler Encalade, 20; and Cameron Ajiduah, 18—also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

The hate-crime charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

"The Justice Department will not tolerate hate crimes against any individual based on sexual orientation," said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore. "Hate crimes are violent crimes but also attack the fundamental principles of the United States."

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