A Florida family has been charged with hate crimes after they allegedly beat a gay man so severely that he was left blinded.
Inna Makarenko, 44, Yevhen Makarenko, 43, and 21-year-old Oleh Makarenko are accused of attacking the 31-year-old victim after allegedly breaking into his Pompano Beach home last summer.
The victim was left permanently blind and also sustained other serious injuries, the Broward State Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors said those charged — mother, father and son — knew the victim and targeted him because he is gay.
Authorities have released few details about the alleged attack to protect the victim’s privacy.
The trio, who were arrested last month, were charged Tuesday with hate crimes, including attempted first-degree murder, battery during the burglary of a dwelling and kidnapping.
All three face possible life sentences if convicted.
A fourth person connected to the attack was arrested in Alabama and transferred to Florida on Monday, according to prosecutors.
Inna Makarenko is accused, along with her family, of beating a gay man until he was left blind. Broward County Sheriff's Office
Yevhen Makarenko and his family are all being charged with hate crimes for the attack. Broward County Sheriff's Office
Prosecutors allege that Oleh Makarenko and his family broke into the victim’s apartment and targeted him because they knew he was gay. Broward County Sheriff's OfficeNo charges have yet been filed against the fourth person.
The Makarenkos’ attorney, Michael Glasser, told CBS Miami that the family “adamantly denied” the alleged attack.
“Thus far, there’s really been scant and borderline nothing remotely compelling that points to this family having anything to do with this poor guy’s injuries,” Glasser told the outlet.
