WASHINGTON - Franklin Siate, 42, of Washington, D.C., was convicted today of assaulting two local men near U Street, NW, because of their perceived LGBTQ-status, and making violent threats against the woman in charge of security at the 9:30 Club while she was protecting patrons in line for a Taylor Swift dance party, announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The two assault charges carry a bias-related hate crime enhancement. The verdict followed a jury trial in Superior Court of the District of Columbia before Judge Jennifer Di Toro. Sentencing will take place on February 10, 2025.

On the night of August 3, 2024, Siate verbally and then physically accosted multiple people outside of the 9:30 Club. First, he approached a line of patrons waiting to enter the concert venue for a Taylor Swift Dance Party and started yelling at them. He then turned his attention to a 9:30 Club employee and threatened to rape and murder her. He then saw two men walking by, holding hands, and acting affectionately towards one another. Siate followed them down the block saying, "Gays cannot hold hands in my city," "You're in my living room," and yelling a slur at them. He then picked up a sign outside of another establishment, lifted it over his head, and charged the two men. An MPD police officer arrived just in time to stop Siate from attacking the men.

Siate was arrested on Augst 3, 2024, and released on personal reconnaissance. Siate was then arrested on new, unrelated charges on August 31, 2024, and has been in custody since September 9, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ari B. Rubin and Douglas Maggs.