Puerto Rico

A federal judge sentenced the first of three men charged with hate crimes for a February 2020 assault on a transgender woman to 33 months in prison. In August, the defendant pleaded guilty to helping the attackers and harassing the victim because of her gender identity.

According to evidence, on February 24, 2020, the three men were traveling by car when they recognized the victim near the road in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. After identifying her, the defendants verbally harassed her. The three men then drove to get a paintball gun and paintballs, returned to the location and fired paintballs at her.

During both encounters, the men used cell phone to record their actions and shared the recordings with others.

Charges against the other two men are still pending.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/co-conspirator-sentenced-33-months-hate-crime-against-transgender-woman

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/puerto-rico-men-charged-hate-crimes-shooting-transgender-woman-paintball-gun

A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico charged two defendants with murdering two transgender women. The indictment accuses the defendants of using a firearm to commit a crime and causing two deaths through the use of a firearm. The charges also include a hate crime based on the victims’ gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.

If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison or the death penalty.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-pr/pr/two-individuals-charged-carjacking-murder-firearms-offenses-and-destruction-property

(en Español: https://www.justice.gov/usao-pr/pr/dos-individuos-acusados-por-carjacking-y-usar-un-arma-de-fuego-durante-un-crimen-violento)

Affidavit in Support of Criminal Complaint: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1273056/download