Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced on September 3 that Damyen Vainuku faces charges including three victim targeting penalty enhancements for allegedly threatening to kill an individual and his family based on the victim's sexual orientation.
According to a September 3 statement, Salt Lake City Gang detectives interviewed the victim, identified as F.F., on August 21, 2026. F.F. stated that Vainuku has known him since high school and has continued to follow him on social media despite being asked to leave him alone multiple times. On August 20, 2026, Vainuku allegedly began sending threats to kill F.F. and his family, reportedly stating he could not wait to kill a gay person.
Vainuku was taken into custody on August 25, 2026, and allegedly admitted to sending the threats and that they were motivated by the victim's sexual orientation.
The charges filed against Vainuku include one count of stalking with a second-degree felony penalty enhancement, six counts of prohibited dangerous weapon conduct, one count of threat of violence enhanced to a class A misdemeanor, and one count of harassment enhanced to a class A misdemeanor.
The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office elected to use Utah Code Annotated §76-3-203.14, known as the victim targeting penalty enhancement, because the defendant allegedly selected the victim based on a personal attribute. Under this statute, misdemeanors are enhanced by one degree, and felony sentences may include an increased minimum prison term before parole eligibility.
Sim Gill stated that threats of violence are unacceptable and that stalking or threats based on sexual orientation make the community less safe. Gill noted that the Survivor and Victims Services team will work with F.F. and his family to provide support. All accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
