Sex Crime and Violence During DJ-Driven 'Ultra Weekend' in Miami -- And, Yes, Californians Were in the Thick of It

By Dennis Romero Tue., Mar. 29 2011 at 1:58 PM

YouTube

Headquarters, we have a wedgie.

The just-wrapped "Miami Music Week/Ultra Weekend" in South Beach was marred by violence, and allegations of rape. Our sister publication Miami New Times reports that three Californians were arrested on suspicion of gang raping a college student at the Fontainebleau Hotel after they met her at a pool party at the down-the-beach Shelborne Hotel.

Also, a near-riot erupted following a performance by ...

... Swedish House Mafia, whose leader, Steve Angello, calls L.A. home and happens to be a big headliner at Coachella next month.

Not his fault. The DJ session was reportedly oversold and angry house-heads went apeshit on the beach.

Video:

Miami Beach Det. Juan F. Sanchez told the Weekly the rape suspects are from the South Bay, including Lomita, Ranchos Palos Verdes and Torrance.

They were identified as Paul Thorington, 22, Anthony Albano, 23, and Ray Joseph Laranjo, 23.

Miami Dade Corrections

Suspect Paul Thorington.

Looks like organizers of Ultra will have to think about the ramifications of doing a full-on party weekend based around a rave-like event.

But we will say this. This is maybe what happens when what was once a dance industry showcase called the Winter Music Conference -- which attracted mainly industry types on Spring Break -- is abandoned by the two-day Ultra Music Festival concert in favor of a full-on spiky-haired, beer-fueled raver douche fest.

Echoes of L.A.'s embattled Electric Daisy Carnival (also a two-day electronic dance music festival) anyone?

We think Miami's annual dance music week should move back to a WMC-oriented showcase and meeting place. Leave it to the professionals.

Tags:

DJ culture, DJs, Miami, rape, riot, Ultra Festival, Winter Music Conference

We Recommend

M8thomas

It's Ultra's fault that a girl got gang raped at a hotel on the beach? Give me a break.

Guest

What are you talking about? Ultra happens in downtown Miami, the SHM event is a completely different event. Everyone at Ultra was respectable, beside some guy raging on PCP. Get over yourself.

Hamdinger

Bro, you're a f'n fool... for starters nothing you mentioned happened anywhere near Ultra or at an Ultra sanctioned event. Maybe we should prohibit idiots from Cali from coming to Florida since most of the trouble you refer can be linked to West coast doucebags. I'm sure the SHM promotor who oversold the venue because he couldn't count was also Cali born and educated. Give me a break, the shit that went down was bad, but to blame Ultra erodes any cred you ever had.

Thatgarryguy

Exactly! Unfortunately anyone can post bs online these days without being checked.

TK Ripper

FOX NEWS!!!

RebelYell

"Sex Crime and Violence During DJ-Driven 'Ultra Weekend' in Miami -- And, Yes, Californians Were in the Thick of It"Haters gonna hate!But seriously though, I do not understand for the life of me why people from all over the world cough up their hard earned dollars for a crap fest/conference like WMC.Save your money for a real vacation!

Big Mike

Why do people spend their own money on stupid stuff? Cause they earned it and want to enjoy it. Have you ever been to a massive like this? If not then you are missing out. People go to these events to get away from the real life bull shit that we live with everyday. This is a real vacation for some people.