A local Philadelphia drag queen was attacked and had to go through surgery.
Aloe Vera, real name Anthony Veltre, was assaulted late last week. The attack by a 34-year-old man named Carmelo Villanueva was so serious that it prompted the need for jaw surgery.
As a police report states, Vera was attacked by Villanueva around 10:30 pm on April 29. Vera was walking around the 2000 block of Tasker Street when Villaneuva approached. He then punched her in the face multiple times and threatened to use a knife.
While Villanueva escaped from the scene of the crime, he was later found and apprehended by police the following night. Then Villanueva was charged with aggravated assault and lesser offenses in connection to the crime.
That said, Villanueva got released on bail later that day. Though, he still has to go to a preliminary hearing on May 15 at the Criminal Justice Center in Philadelphia.
Ben Waxman, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, said that Villanueva will be thoroughly tried for his crimes.
“Obviously, this is a serious crime and we’re going to pursue justice in this case as aggressively as possible,” Waxman told Philadelphia Gay News.
As for Aloe Vera, she underwent jaw surgery at Jefferson University Hospital on May 1. That said, Vera is in need of financial help to pay off that surgery. A fundraiser is being held for Vera at the ICandy Nightclub in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood later tonight (May 7).
If you can’t make that event, there’s also a GoFundMe page where you can donate to support Aloe Vera.
h/t: PGN
