Millard County Sheriff’s Office: Delta, Utah Man Staged Anti-Gay Hate Crime: Community Reacts
July 1, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – The community is reacting today to the news that Delta man Rick Jones staged anti-gay hate crimes against him earlier this year.
The Millard County Sheriff’s Office issued the statement yesterday that it had been actively and aggressively investigating a series of violent incidents alleged to have occurred in April and June of this year in Delta.
“The investigation has come to an end today with the admission of Richard (Rick) L. Jones, Jr to having staged all of the incidents,” the press release said. “We are working with the Millard County Attorneys Office to determine the next step. We urge community members to continue to be supportive of the Jones family.”
Millard County Sheriff’s Office had previously issued a press release regarding the incidents and asking for help in locating and bringing to justice those responsible for the harm and threat towards Jones and his family.
Jones and his family also released a statement on the GoFundMe campaign yesterday that was raising money to help with costs incurred after the alleged attack, graffiti and Molotov cocktail were reported. The family owns Grand Central Pizzeria and Grill in Delta.
“Rick and his family are grateful for the expressions of support, but cannot accept this generosity. All donations are being returned to the donors.
Rick and his family are cooperating fully with the law enforcement investigation and are appreciative of Millard County and the State of Utah for their approach in this case.
While that cooperation continues, the family has no further comment at this time.”
Community members that had originally offered support to Jones and his family were quick to react.
Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox said in a prepared statement: “I am both relieved and saddened by the news today. The original allegations were incredibly troubling, and not representative of the love and compassion the people of Utah exhibit daily. I am proud of the overwhelmingly positive response and support from Delta and every corner of our state. Today, our concern is that the young man and his family receive the love and help necessary to find the peace and healing they seek.”
Sen. Jim Dabakis said in a prepared statement: “I am hearing press reports about the young man from Delta, Rick Jones, who was the alleged victim of a hate crime. Since my trip to Delta, I have been working to help him get some professional assistance. I remain, as I said in comments immediately following my trip, very grateful to officials (Sheriff and county attorney, etc) as well as the people in Delta and in Millard County. They have been warm hearted, understanding and professional. I hope we can all work together with an eye toward getting Rick some help.”
Mark Lawrence is the director of Restore Our Humanity, who traveled to Delta after the incident, said: “One of the things that really struck me is when Rick’s mother said there are a lot of people who have it much worse off than they do. This shows what kind of people they are. We sent a very powerful message to the Jones family. They know that we are here for them. I believe they are a beautiful family. They are not trying to capitalize on this horrendous event. For that I applaud them and their integrity.”
Terry Gillman, who with others started a Facebook page to offer support to Jones, said in a statement: “I’m disheartened to learn that this young man may have staged this. As a former culinary professional I know how hard it is for a restaurant to survive it’s first year of business. The objective of the group started on Facebook was to reach out to this wonderful family and help them with any loses they may have incurred due to this incident.
With the news breaking today that it may have been staged I am saddened that this young man took such extreme measures to get help. Years ago I had previously worked with gay youth at risk. When someone sounds the cry for help we all need to answer the call.
“I am proud of the support this community showed and I’m extremely proud of the people who helped put the event in Delta together so quickly. I see no reason to shame or further subject this wonderful family to further persecution. I would hope and pray they grow from this experience together.
“We accomplished something great here no matter the outcome. We mobilized to help, and will continue to do so when anyone in our state needs help. We are one Utah, and hate will not stand here.”
According to the original report from Millard County Sheriff’s Office, Jones, 21, said after his business closed on April 25 he was at his restaurant alone when he was attacked after taking out the trash.
Jones said he does not remember much about the attack because he passed out but when he woke up someone had their leg on his chest and was forcing him to drink bleach. He passed out again and the next thing he knew medical personnel were attending to him. He had multiple lacerations and the words “Die Fag” cut into his arm as well as suffering a concussion. Jones was treated overnight at the hospital and released the next day.
Nearly a week after that incident someone allegedly spray painted his house with the words “Die Fag.” Then during Pride, someone allegedly threw a molotov cocktail through his window and spray painted “You’ll Die. Burn Fag” on their house. The cocktail set their house on fire but Jones was able to extinguish it before there was any major damage.
