8-1-2012 Indiana:A Lafayette man was punched, stomped on and kicked into unconsciousness last week for outing an acquaintance as a sex offender, court documents allege.
The victim, 32-year-old Ryan Moynagh, was not moving and found lying in a corner when Lafayette police were called to his Union Street apartment on July 26. Moynagh’s head was covered in blood, and both of his eyes were severely swollen.
The suspect, 25-year-old Christopher McDaniel Jones, of Lafayette, had apparently been staying with Moynagh.
Jones was charged Wednesday in Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 with battery resulting in serious bodily injury; strangulation; criminal recklessness causing serious bodily injury; and residential entry.
All four counts are felonies.
Police Chief Don Roush said Moynagh was admitted to St. Elizabeth East hospital and was expected to be released this past Monday. He was not listed as a patient there Wednesday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman confirmed.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Moynagh, Jones and a third man were hanging out and drinking on July 26. Moynagh reportedly asked the third man if he knew that Jones was a sex offender — causing Jones to become “enraged.”
Jones left, but when he returned later, Moynagh would not let him inside.
He’s accused of reaching through the partially open door and choking Moynagh. Jones’ body weight then broke the door chain, allowing him to get inside.
Jones, who turned himself in at the scene, allegedly admitted to choking and punching Moynagh, then kicking and stomping on Moynagh’s head after he fell down.
The attack lasted 10 to 15 minutes.
As of Wednesday night, Jones was being held in the Tippecanoe County Jail on a $25,000 surety bond.
Court records show that Jones was convicted in Missouri in 2006 of two counts of first degree sodomy to a minor. He was released from prison in March 2011 and is listed on Tippecanoe County’s Sex and Violent Offender Registry. ..Source.. by Sophia Voravong
