Authorities in Philadelphia have introduced expenses in opposition to an LGBTQ+ activist and trans lady accused of raping two minors. Per FOX 29, the rape allegations leveled in opposition to 37-year-old Kendall Stephens come after she survived a brutal hate crime-related assault in 2020.
Authorities stated they launched an investigation into the rape allegations in September 2023 earlier than finally arresting Stephens on Monday. She faces a slew of expenses together with two counts of Rape, Indecent Assault, Endangering the Welfare of a Baby, Corruption of Minors, and associated expenses. Her bail has been set at $500,000.
In August 2020, Stephens was violently assaulted by Tymesha Sporting in what authorities described as a hate crime-related incident. The assault occurred at Stephens’ house. Sporting was finally convicted after she pleaded responsible to aggravated assault and conspiracy.
Sporting was sentenced to 11.5 to 23 months of home arrest with digital monitoring. She may even solely develop into eligible for parole after serving 18 months of house confinement, FOX 29 reported. Sporting was moreover ordered to carry out 120 hours of neighborhood service, write an apology letter to Stephens, and full a court-monitored anger administration program.
Within the wake of the assault, Stephens gained reputation in her neighborhood and campaigned for native lawmakers to make sure justice is served for LGBTQ+ members who’re victims of assault, CBS Information reported.
“Ms. Stephens continues to talk out loudly on behalf of different queer victims of violent crime – all whereas pursuing graduate research,” DA Krasner stated on the time.
“Though Philadelphia County acknowledges what occurred to me as a hate crime, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s hate crime statute doesn’t acknowledge me as an individual worthy of safety as a result of I’m transgender, I’m an unworthy minority within the eyes of the legislation, and that should change, or the cycle of hate will proceed,” Stephens additionally stated following Sporting’s conviction.
