A Kitsap County man is facing a hate crime charge after allegedly assaulting two teenagers, one of whom he reportedly tried to strangle with a rope upon learning the boy was gay. The accused, identified as a 38-year-old Joseph Sweeney, was arrested following an incident on October 20, in which he's said to have tied a noose around the 14-year-old friend of his son after the boy confirmed his sexual orientation.
The case, which has stirred community and national concern, began to unravel when deputies were informed that Sweeney had become confrontational after overhearing a conversation between his 13-year-old son and the son's friend. Upon questioning the boy about his sexuality, Sweeney allegedly placed a noose around his neck and tightened it, only for the teen to eventually escape, according to court documents sourced from KIRO7.
In a related accusation, the suspect also reportedly chased his biological son around the house and lassoed him around the chest. Detectives also claim that Sweeney attempted to humiliate both teenagers by recording them with his cellphone while instructing them to kiss each other. The incident has led to Sweeney's arrest this week, as reported by FOX13 Seattle.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities discovered not only the rope supposedly used in the assault but also a firearm that Sweeney was prohibited from possessing due to a prior domestic violence protection order. Despite the allegations and evidence recovered, some family members contend that the incident has been misunderstood. "A rope was involved in the horseplay, but it wasn't for any threatening reasons," Thorne Toliver, stepfather to Sweeney’s son and present on the night of the incident, told KOMO News. Toliver defends Sweeney, asserting that the actions were not motivated by the boy's sexual orientation, and states his trust in Sweeney's character.
Sweeney currently remains in custody at Kitsap County Jail, with the bond set at $50,000.
