Illinois Man Suspected of Helping Drug and Rape Six Florida Gay Men Arrested
Chicago, IL -
The arrest of a Chicago-area man in connection with the rape, torture and murder of two Central Florida gay men could be the key to solving the murders of two Chicago gay men.
Federal agents have arrested Scott Paul Schweichert, 39, of Peru, Illinois, who allegedly says he helped Stephen Lorenzo, 46, of Seminole Heights, Florida, drug and rape six gay men in the Tampa area.
Schweichert was charged as an accessory after the fact related to a drug-facilitated crime of violence and remains in custody in Florida. In February Lorenzo was charged with seven counts of drug-facilitated crimes of violence. Lorenzo was indicted in November on federal drug charges.
According to NewsRadio 780's Steve Grzanich, searches of Schweickert’s Tampa residence and another home in Peru, Illinois, turned up a supply of the date rape drug GHB, photos of nearly two dozen men in scenes of bondage and a file containing news articles about missing and dead men including stories about two Tampa victims. Investigators also found evidence indicating Schweichert and Lorenzo knew each other and communicated by e-mail about meeting young gay men.
WBBM-TV reports, Schweickert’s e-mail account was billed to an apartment building in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.
At least two slayings involving gay men remain unsolved on the North Side.
Kevin Clewer, 31, was stabbed more than 40 times and found on the floor of his apartment at 3444 N. Elaine Place on March 24, 2004.
Brett Winters, 38, was also stabbed to death and found in his apartment at 526 W. Belden on August 17, 2003.
According to NewsRadio 780, Schweickert moved to Florida from Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood in October 2003 less than two months after the Winters murder.
Chicago police say they have been in contact with Tampa police about the case and are following-up on reports that Schweichert lived in the Lakeview neighborhood.
Related:
Family Cautiously Hopes For Answers In Murder Mystery
CBS-2 Chicago - May 21, 2005, 4:59pm
Suspect in Florida Gay Murders Tied to Chicago
NewsRadio780 - May 21, 2005, 10:08am
Possible Link Found To Chicago Gay Murders
CBS-2 Chicago - May 21, 2005, 9:56am
Suspect Held in Gruesome Deaths
St. Petersburg Times - May 21, 2005
Federal agents have arrested Scott Paul Schweichert, 39, of Peru, Illinois, who allegedly says he helped Stephen Lorenzo, 46, of Seminole Heights, Florida, drug and rape six gay men in the Tampa area.
Schweichert was charged as an accessory after the fact related to a drug-facilitated crime of violence and remains in custody in Florida. In February Lorenzo was charged with seven counts of drug-facilitated crimes of violence. Lorenzo was indicted in November on federal drug charges.
According to NewsRadio 780's Steve Grzanich, searches of Schweickert’s Tampa residence and another home in Peru, Illinois, turned up a supply of the date rape drug GHB, photos of nearly two dozen men in scenes of bondage and a file containing news articles about missing and dead men including stories about two Tampa victims. Investigators also found evidence indicating Schweichert and Lorenzo knew each other and communicated by e-mail about meeting young gay men.
WBBM-TV reports, Schweickert’s e-mail account was billed to an apartment building in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.
At least two slayings involving gay men remain unsolved on the North Side.
Kevin Clewer, 31, was stabbed more than 40 times and found on the floor of his apartment at 3444 N. Elaine Place on March 24, 2004.
Brett Winters, 38, was also stabbed to death and found in his apartment at 526 W. Belden on August 17, 2003.
According to NewsRadio 780, Schweickert moved to Florida from Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood in October 2003 less than two months after the Winters murder.
Chicago police say they have been in contact with Tampa police about the case and are following-up on reports that Schweichert lived in the Lakeview neighborhood.
Related:
Family Cautiously Hopes For Answers In Murder Mystery
CBS-2 Chicago - May 21, 2005, 4:59pm
Suspect in Florida Gay Murders Tied to Chicago
NewsRadio780 - May 21, 2005, 10:08am
Possible Link Found To Chicago Gay Murders
CBS-2 Chicago - May 21, 2005, 9:56am
Suspect Held in Gruesome Deaths
St. Petersburg Times - May 21, 2005
