A Davie man accused of attacking an openly gay man is facing hate crime charges. John William Koontz, 62, was denied bail May 3.
Koontz was arrested May 2 after he allegedly approached Miguel “Angel” Rodriguez, 46, outside a CVS and beat him while shouting insults and gay slurs. CVS employees separated the men, and rescuers took Rodriguez to Memorial Hospital Pembroke where he was treated and released the same night. In addition to the hate crime, Koontz is charged with aggravated battery.
According to Davie police, Rodriguez works as a security guard at Everglades Mobile Home Park and both men live there.
The attack was allegedly the result of an ongoing dispute between the suspect and the victim.
To label an assault a hate crime, investigators and prosecutors must prove the victim was targeted because of race, color, sexual orientation or other personal factors. A hate-crime designation is added to other criminal charges, elevates them to felony status and may mean stiffer penalties under Florida law.
