MIAMI – Junior Rafael Arias will remain in jail following his arrest in what police called a homophobic attack on South Beach.
Arias’ case was back before a Miami-Dade judge Friday, who revoked his bond at the request of prosecutors, deeming him a danger to the LGBTQ community. The 22-year-old, charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon — with a hate crime enhancement — and resisting arrest, wasn’t physically in court.
A judge had originally set his bond at $50,000 on Thursday.
According to Miami Beach police, the beating happened just before 6 a.m. Wednesday on the beach near Lummus Park.
Police said the victim, a South Beach local, was about to change in a beach tent for his morning swim when Arias, who is homeless, “approached him aggressively and told him to leave.”
An arrest report states that the victim and Arias got into an argument after the victim told him he was not leaving.
“The victim stated in order to defend himself, he used a white pole that was attached to the beach umbrella tents to attempt to push the defendant away,” police wrote in the report. “However, the victim advised that (Arias) overpowered him, took the pole, and began striking him with it. The victim advised that he was able to escape and flee the beach.”
Authorities said the victim sustained cuts and bruises from the attack.
Police said the victim was able to point to Arias as the suspect. Authorities said Arias was “extremely uncooperative” and refused to give his name, but officers were able to identify him through prior encounters.
Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez was one official asking for Arias to remain locked up.
“We need to protect Miami Beach residents,” he said. “We need to protect the LGBT community from individuals of violent backgrounds like this.”
Arias is said to have a violent criminal history with multiple open cases.
“No one should be targeted for who they are,” Fernandez said.
Arias remained in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of Friday morning.