FARMINGTON, N.M.—An Arizona man has been sentenced to nine months in the San Juan County (New Mexico) jail in a September attack that prosecutors allege was prompted by a belief the victim was gay.

Craig Yazzie, 38, of Dennehotso, Ariz., was sentenced July 15 after pleading no contest to reduced charges of false imprisonment and battery in the beating of Matthew Shetima. State District Judge John Dean also sentenced Yazzie to a six-month inpatient alcohol treatment program once he’s released from jail.

A hate crime sentencing enhancement was dropped in the plea bargain.

“The state told me that he grabbed the victim, dragged him in the room and helped hit him,” Dean said.

Police allege Scott Thompson, Jerry Paul and Yazzie pulled Shetima into a motel room in Farmington and began to punch and kick him, calling him names.

Prosecutors believe Thompson, 22, of Farmington was the ringleader. He was convicted of second-degree kidnapping and misdemeanor battery, but the jury decided the attack did not target the victim’s sexual orientation.

Paul, 41, of Shiprock, also has pleaded no contest to false imprisonment and aggravated battery, and will be sentenced in October. The plea bargain for Paul also dropped the hate crime charge.

Shetima was not present during sentencing, but the court read a statement from him in which he said, “To feel normal and happy has gone from me.”