State Police in Fulton arrested Shane M. Thomas, age 27 from Hannibal, and Cody A. Thomas, age 18 from Fulton, for Assault 3rd degree (as a Hate Crime), a class “E” felony.
The arrests resulted from an investigation into a complaint by a 19-year-old transgender individual, who was assaulted by both subjects during two separate incidents Nov. 1, 2017, while the victim was riding a bicycle along State Route 3.
The first incident occurred in the City of Fulton, where the two suspects pulled over their vehicle after encountering the victim. Shane M. Thomas exited the vehicle and assaulted the victim. About an hour later, the suspects again encountered the victim on Route 3 in the town of Volney, and again stopped their vehicle. The investigation revealed that Cody A. Thomas exited the vehicle and assaulted the victim.
During the investigation, the victim also revealed that the suspects shouted homophobic slurs while driving by on multiple occasions in the weeks before the assaults.
Both suspects were arraigned in the Town of Volney Court and were released on their own recognizance.
This investigation was conducted in consultation with the State Police Hate Crimes Unit, one of the initiatives created by Governor Cuomo last year in response to an increase in reports of bias-related crimes.
New Yorkers who have experienced bias or discrimination are encouraged to call the state’s toll-free hotline at (888) 392-3644 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday or text “HATE” to 81336. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of a crime or are in immediate danger should always dial 911. The state offers a $5,000 reward to information leading to the arrest and conviction of a hate crime.