Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Air Force Sergeant's Rank Lowered After Hate Crime
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 4, 2010
Modified Feb 4, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 4, 2010
Modified Feb 4, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Back in September last year friends Blake Hayes, Alec Bell and Danny Calvert were all victims of a hate crime outside of a Manhattan bar in Hell's Kitchen. Following an incident, the NYPD refused to take their attacker's information, or let them file a claim. Soon after, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn spoke up on behalf of the victims of the bias attack and investigations began.
Last month it was announced that the suspect was Air Force Staff Sgt. Benjamin Ford (pictured), who has been stationed in England (but at the time of the incident was in New York). Now Quinn has released a statement saying: "Through an agreement between the NYPD and the U.S. Air Force, he was charged in a military court with 3 counts of assault and battery, 1 count of issuing a false statement (AF Form 1158), in violation of Article 107 of Military code. His punishment will include dock pay for the month of September, a loss of a stripe and lowering of his rank."
As for the NYPD failing to file a claim or get the attackers information when they were called to the scene, Quinn says "an Internal Affairs Bureau investigation is in progress and we are awaiting the results of this investigation.”
Tagged
air force
Benjamin Ford
Blake Hayes
christine quinn
gay bashing
hate crime
hell's kitchen
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .