Carlos Lopez

On August 9, 2008, gay teenager Carlos Lopez was attacked and beaten by Fa Junior Moi Moi, at Ensign Peak near Salt Lake City, after Lopez took a picture with Moi Moi and Moi Moi later realized Lopez was gay.

Lopez, 18, and Moi Moi, 20, were each socializing with friends at Ensign Peak on August 9, 2009. Lopez took a picture of Moi Moi with a group of other people at the part.¹⁾

After the picture was taken, Moi Moi asked Lopez if he was gay. When Lopez refused to answer him, Moi Moi became enraged, hitting Lopez several times, and breaking his obrital bone. According to police, several of Moi Moi's friends took part in the beating.²⁾ Moi Moi also attacked Lucelena Lopz, hitting her while she was on the groung. The victim's friend who took the picture was also attacked.³⁾

Lopez suffered severe head trauma⁴⁾, and required major reconstructive surgery.

In November 2008, the Salt Lake City Police Department added Moi Moi to its “Most Wanted” list, in an effort to track him down.⁵⁾ In early November, the police received information that Moi Moi may have fled to Hawaii, where he has family.

Moi Moi was arrested in Honolulu, Hawaii, over the weekend of February 6-7.⁶⁾ Detectives travelled from Utah to Honolulu to extradite Moi Moi.⁷⁾ Moi Moi was brought back to Utah to face 2 counts of felony aggravated assault, and 1 count of misdemeanor assault.⁸⁾ If convicted, he faces five years to life in prison and a fine of $10,000 for each count.