Franklin Siate, a 42-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., was found guilty of assaulting two men due to their perceived LGBTQ status and threatening a female security employee at the 9:30 Club. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The charges include a bias-related hate crime enhancement. The conviction followed a jury trial in Superior Court of the District of Columbia, presided over by Judge Jennifer Di Toro. Sentencing is scheduled for February 10, 2025.
The incident occurred on August 3, 2024, when Siate verbally and physically confronted several individuals outside the 9:30 Club during a Taylor Swift dance party event. He initially shouted at patrons in line before directing threats towards a club employee responsible for security. Siate then targeted two men who were holding hands nearby, following them while making derogatory remarks and threatening gestures with a sign from another establishment. An MPD officer intervened before any physical attack could occur.
Siate was arrested on the night of August 3 but was released on personal recognizance shortly after. He faced new unrelated charges on August 31, leading to his detention since September 9.
The case was handled by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ari B. Rubin and Douglas Maggs prosecuting.