Thugs smeared faeces over gay men after using Grindr for kidnap plot

Two men in Texas are facing a federal hate crime charge after using gay hook-up app Grindr to kidnap and rob nine gay men, smearing faeces over victims.

Daniel Jenkins, 19, and Michael Atkinson, 24, were indicted on 15 counts by a federal grand jury in Texas over the assaults, which took place during the first two weeks of December 2017.

According to the indictment, the pair used Grindr to find prospective victims, who were lured to a vacant apartment in Dallas where they were assaulted, taunted and robbed.

Grindr crime: Victims were robbed and humiliated

The pair allegedly humiliated the victims, subjecting them to homophobic slurs while holding them at gunpoint in the apartment.

According to the indictment, the pair smeared faeces over one of the men, while another victim was reportedly sexually assaulted with an object.

The victims were robbed of their mobile phones, cars, identification, keys and wallets. One victim was forced to drive to an ATM to withdraw more money.

Jenkins and Atkinson were charged with conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping, and carjacking on January 8.

The logo for gay hook-up app Grindr (Leon Neal/Getty)

An attorney for Jenkins told the Dallas Morning News that his client denies the accusations and will contest the hate crime charge. Atkinson’s attorney is yet to comment.

US Attorney Erin Nealy Cox, of the Northern District of Texas, told the newspaper: “Criminals are using apps like Grindr to single out victims based on their sexual orientation.

“My office is committed to rooting out these despicable crimes motivated by hate.”

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