Hate Crime Carousel at Salisbury University
Twelve students from Maryland under arrest, accused of coercing and physically attacking a male individual via Grindr, a dating app for men.
Recently, 15 former students from Salisbury University were embroiled in an alleged hate crime scandal. The case revolved around a group of students associated with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, who were accused of tricking a victim via a dating app to an off-campus apartment. The victim claimed that he was targeted because of his sexuality, and the group was accused of imprisoning and brutally assaulting him [3][4].
Benjamin Brandenburg, one of the implicated students, was cleared of charges related to second-degree assault and false imprisonment on May 21, 2025 [1][3]. However, it's uncertain whether he'll be able to rejoin Salisbury University if he decides to apply for readmission [3].
Sadly, 11 other former students have already served their time for the hate crime, while two more are awaiting sentencing, and the final two trials are due in August [3].
The Persistent Rise of Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes in the US
There has been an uptick in anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in the United States. Although exact data on the recent surge isn't extensively documented, the community is well-aware that such incidents continue to pose a significant problem. Law enforcement agencies like the FBI have reported an increase in hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals in recent years [5].
Maryland's Age of Consent
Maryland's age of consent is 16 years old, meaning that any sexual activity below this age is considered statutory rape [4]. In this Salisbury University case, the age of consent is not directly relevant to the hate crime charges, but it sheds light on the intricate legal labyrinth of sexual identity and consent.
1) "In the context of Salisbury University's recent hate crime scandal, discussing education-and-self-development could entail exploring the potential impacts on the implicated students' future academic prospects, particularly Benjamin Brandenburg, who was cleared of charges but faces uncertainty over rejoining the university."
2) "General news outlets might also cover the latest update on the Salisbury University hate crime case alongside other notable events, such as the persistent rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in the US, which highlights a growing concern related to crime-and-justice."
