WATCH: Texas Men Indicted for Hate Crimes Against Gay Black Man

If convicted, both men face a maximum life sentence in federal prison.

Dawn Ennis

The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.

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Dawn Ennis

August 19 2015 6:21 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi, Texas, has handed down hate-crime indictments against two men accused of beating and torturing a gay black man in 2012, reports local TV station KRIS.

The indictments returned Monday charge 32-year-old Jimmy Garza Jr. and 22-year-old Ramiro Serrata Jr. with conspiracy to commit hate crimes, a hate-crime violation based on race and color, a hate-crime violation based on sexual orientation, and using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

The victim told KRIS he owed the two men who attacked him $5, and even though he paid them back, they beat him, poured bleach in his eyes, stripped him naked, and sexually assaulted him with the handle of a broom or a mop, then forced him to clean up the blood spilled in the attack.

The victim said he was targeted specifically because of his sexual orientation and race, KRIS reports. His identity was withheld because of the nature of the crime.

After several hours of being held against his will, the victim said he managed to escape by jumping out a second story window.

If convicted, both men face a maximum life sentence in federal prison.

Watch the report from KRIS below.