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Some parents are less than proud after seven men were arrested and charged for an incident last month when they used a social media account to lure their victim to an area residence and targeted him "due to his sexual preference."
According to the Salisbury Police Department, on Thursday, Oct. 31, the agency was contacted by University Police regarding an assault in an off-campus apartment complex in the 1400 block of University Terrace, and witnesses were able to provide video of a person being assaulted by multiple college-aged men.
It was determined that two weeks earlier, the victim was invited to the apartment under false pretenses, and when he got inside, he was forced to sit on a chair isolated in the middle of the living room.
"After being forcefully seated," he was kicked, punched, and spat on while the seven called him derogatory names, officials said.
The victim later stated that he sought to leave the apartment multiple times; however, he was thrown to the floor during every initial attempt to flee.
Investigators say that the assault lasted several minutes until the victim was permitted to leave, but not before suffering bruising throughout his body and a broken rib.
During the investigation, seven men were identified as suspects, all of whom were members or associates of a fraternity at Salisbury University.
Those arrested:
- 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.
All seven were charged with:
- First-degree assault;
- False imprisonment;
- Reckless endangerment;
- Associated Hate Crime offenses.
All were brought to the Salisbury Police Department for processing and released to the Wicomico County Detention Center pending their initial court appearance.
This week, Salisbury University President Carolyn Ringer Lepre said that she was upset with the allegations, calling the entire incident "disturbing in nature," and "truly horrifying."
"These actions do not reflect the SU that I know and love," she wrote in a letter to the community. "A place where everyone should feel safe and free from harm ... A place where violence is unacceptable.
"Acts of violence toward LGBTQ+ and Ally communities are not only destructive, but at odds with the principles of community, respect, and belong that bind us together as a university."
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