Hate Crimes Against Delta Man Shake Community; Lt. Gov. Cox Issues Statement
DELTA, UTAH – June 12, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – A disturbing story of hate crime and repeated victimization of a young man and his family in Delta is quickly gaining attention as Millard County Sheriff’s office are seeking the public’s help in identifying those responsible.
According to Millard County Sheriff’s Office, Rick 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 spray painted his house with the words “Die Fag.”
Then during pride, this past weekend, someone 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.
Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox issued the following statement Friday regarding the hate crime: “I was horrified and heart-broken to learn of this cowardly and barbaric assault. The Jones family is an upstanding, well-respected and beloved part of the Delta community. Immediately upon learning of the hateful acts, we offered county officials the full-support of the state in finding the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
“I have reached out to the family and expressed our deepest concern, solidarity and love. This will not stand. I believe that over the coming days we will see an unprecedented outpouring of love and support from every corner of our great state. That is the real Utah.”
Jones and his family own Grand Central Pizzeria and Grill in Delta and said they cannot think of any known enemies that would do such horrific things.
Millard County Sheriff’s Office has 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.
“These crimes are the latest in a string of crimes perpetrated against the owners of this local business. The first incident occurred in April. Local resident Rick Jones was found unconscious at the family owned business. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital where he was treated for head/facial bruising and a concussion. Upon investigation it was learned that $1,000 had been stolen from the business safe. The Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating several different leads in these cases. There is a reward available to anyone providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of these crimes.”
A Millard County detective said that these crimes are being considered hate crimes and they would like the public’s help in finding these suspects. “The police are stretched, as they cover 7,000 square miles of land in Millard County and in the meantime, a 22-year-old man and his family are being victimized.”
They are asking for anyone who may have information on these crimes or information regarding the person(s) responsible to please call the Millard County Sheriff’s office at (435) 864-2755.
