LOCAL NEWS

UPDATE: Hate-crime charges dropped for friend of juvenile accused of punching gay teen

Aug 17, 2022, 4:48 PM | Updated: Aug 24, 2022, 3:34 pm

[FILE] Jail Handcuffs (KSL-TV)...

[FILE] Jail Handcuffs (KSL-TV)

(KSL-TV)

UPDATE: New court documents show the charges against Hayden Stowell were dropped on Monday.

The motion to dismiss order was filed by the State attorney, who requested the charges of retaliation against a witness and criminal mischief to be dismissed “without prejudice… because of evidentiary issues.”

The judge granted the motion, and the Salt Lake County Jail was ordered to release Stowell from custody.


SANDY, Utah — A 19-year-old connected with the juvenile suspect accused of punching a teenager who is gay is also facing hate crime charges and retaliation against the victim’s family.

Hayden Stowell, 19, of Sandy, was caught on the victim’s family home surveillance cameras vandalizing their pride flags on Aug. 13 at 5 a.m, according to court documents.

The documents state that the family’s mother received a phone notification that a surveillance camera picked up an unknown face in the front yard.

“She later looked out the window and observed all her pride flags strewn about her front yard and the street in front of her home,” according to court documents. At least one of the flags was broken.

The woman watched the surveillance video of that night and saw Stowell damaging the pride flags, the court documents state. She recognized him as someone with the juvenile suspect on the night of the assault against her son.

On July 30, Stowell was in a silver Infiniti Q50 with the juvenile suspect and three other passengers when they yelled slurs at the 17-year-old teen outside his Sandy home while hugging his boyfriend, according to court documents.

The silver car returned to the home and its occupants made more homophobic comments and slurs towards the same-sex couple, “the occupants of the vehicle used the term (gay slur)” court documents state.

The occupants of the car got out, and the juvenile suspect punched the 17-year-old teen in the face with a closed fist, documents state. All of the occupants got back into the car and drove away.

Court documents state that the victim’s sister found a video of the assault on social media, learned who the juvenile suspect was, and found his address. The sister went to the juvenile suspect’s home and demanded him to “return to her address and apologize to her brother,” according to court documents.

Sandy police arrest teen on hate crime charge after he allegedly punched a gay teen

Meanwhile, Sandy police officers were waiting for the juvenile and his mother at the victim’s home and intercepted them as they arrived.

In a post-Miranda interview with the juvenile suspect, he admitted to calling the same-sex couple “(gay slur)” according to court documents. “[He] also admitted to getting out of his vehicle and approaching [the couple.] while continuing to taunt them with homophobic slurs and insults.”

Court documents state when the victim yelled back at him, he punched him and left in the car with the rest of the silver Infiniti Q50’s occupants.

The mother of the victim had surveillance video of the assault. She recognized the juvenile suspect along with the three other passengers and Stowell as they were involved in a group called “The Order,” according to court documents. The mother was previously involved with the group and referred to them as the “(Family name) polygamist family.”

On Aug. 12, the juvenile suspect was booked into juvenile detention, with his first detention hearing set for Aug. 15, according to court documents.

Charging documents state that “Stowell ripped down the down the [family’s] pride flags just twelve hours after [the juvenile] was booked into detention.”

Because of the previous relationship between Stowell and the juvenile with their connection to the alleged assault and the two suspects had no prior interaction with the 17-year-old victim, police believe that Stowell “returned to the scene of the original assault with the only clear purpose to further intimidate and harass [the victim] after [the juvenile] was booked,” according to court documents.

Police booked Stowell into the Salt Lake County Jail. On Monday, Stowell was charged with retaliation against a witness, a third-degree felony; and criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor with hate crime penalty enhancements if convicted.

Prosecutors requested that he be held in jail without bail pending trial.

The 17-year-old victim suffered a brain injury from the punch, according to his family, and is still recovering.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Eliza Pace

VIDEO: Watch the moment a UHP trooper stops a 12-year-old driving on the freeway

Utah Highway Patrol responded to a call of a reckless driver. They didn't know until after they stopped the car that it was a 12-year-old driver.

47 minutes ago

Chad Daybell and his attorney, John Prior, appear in a hearing on Oct. 29, 2020...

Larry D. Curtis

Gag order issued for upcoming Chad Daybell murder trial

With jury selection only days away in the murder trial of former Utahn Chad Guy Daybell, the court has issued a gag order concerning the case.

58 minutes ago

Lehi homes...

Daniel Woodruff

Governor highlights bills to help Utah homebuyers

Gov. Spencer Cox on Thursday highlighted several new bills he just signed into law that are aimed at getting more buyers into the market.

1 hour ago

The Brigham Young University national landscaping team posing in front of the grounds....

Lindsay Aerts

BYU wins National Collegiate Landscaping Competition for the 5th time in 6 years

The BYU Cougars claimed have claimed their fifth National Collegiate Landscaping Competition in six years.

1 hour ago

A previous drug bust where authorities found Fentanyl....

Brianna Chavez

DEA says fentanyl seizure on track to surpass last year’s numbers

A troubling trend for law enforcement as the DEA says more fentanyl is making its way to Utah.

2 hours ago

Tina Gomez was 27 when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis....

Emma Benson

‘It’s different every day’: Understanding multiple sclerosis and its prevalence in Utah

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, a chance to talk about this neurological condition which affects more than 30,000 Utahns.

2 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

UPDATE: Hate-crime charges dropped for friend of juvenile accused of punching gay teen