A Springfield, Oregon man has pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime for attacking another person because of their sexual orientation. Daniel Andrew McGee, 26, admitted in U.S. District Court to one count of a Hate Crime Act Involving an Attempt to Kill.
Court documents show that on July 5, 2021, McGee met the victim at the victim’s apartment after connecting through Grindr, a dating app primarily used by gay men. During the meeting, McGee assaulted the victim with a wooden tire thumper over several minutes. The attack left the victim with life-threatening injuries and serious head wounds.
Investigators found that McGee had planned the assault for weeks before it happened. For at least a month prior to the incident, he searched online for homophobic and violent anti-gay content. He also bought the weapon and other materials from Amazon and looked up ways to avoid being caught for murder.
On November 18, 2021, a federal grand jury indicted McGee on one count of Hate Crime Act Involving an Attempt to Kill.
McGee could face up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
As part of his plea agreement, McGee will pay full restitution to his victim.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with help from the Eugene Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Joseph Huynh, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Tenette Smith from the Civil Rights Division Criminal Section.
