Maryland man indicted for allegedly assaulting men in D.C park known for cruising

A federal grand jury has indicted a Maryland man for alleged committing “bias-motivated assaults” on homosexual men in a Washington D.C. park. Michael Thomas Pruden allegedly went to well-known cruising spots and pretended to be a member of legislation enforcement, then assaulted men with the intent to do bodily hurt, prosecutors say. 

The indictment alleges that on 5 separate days between 2018 and 2021, Pruden went to Meridian Hill Park, additionally known as Malcolm X Park, in response to a news launch from the Department of Justice, informally acknowledged as a spot the place men can search consensual sexual encounters with different men — a follow is known as cruising. While on the park, Pruden allegedly assaulted at the very least 5 men by approaching them with heavy flashlights and protending to be a Park Police officer. Pruden then allegedly gave police-style instructions and earlier than spraying victims with a chemical irritant, in response to the indictment. 

The indictment claims Pruden dedicated these alleged assaults due to the victims’ “actual or perceived sexual orientation.” 

The Maryland man was arrested Thursday in Norfolk Virginia and if convicted, faces a most sentence of 10 years for every depend of assault and a three-year statutory most sentence for impersonating a federal officer, at the very least 53 years in jail. 

Pruden is charged with 5 counts of assault on federal land, one depend of impersonating a federal officer, and a hate crimes sentencing enhancement. 

Anyone who believes they had been a sufferer of Pruden or witness an identical assault in the park is inspired to name the FBI tip line, 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).