Chicago Criminal Who Livestreamed Racist Torture Arrested for Robbery
Tesfaye Cooper, a 30-year-old Chicago man notorious for livestreaming the racist torture of a disabled white teenager in 2017, has been arrested again after allegedly robbing a white cyclist. Cooper, who served a seven-year prison sentence for the earlier on-camera torture incident, was taken into custody on April 8 alongside Mazi Pearson, 33, following the reported mugging near a Chicago train station.
Details of the Alleged Robbery
According to police reports from CWB Chicago, the incident unfolded when the victim waved at Cooper and Pearson. The two men allegedly responded by shouting that they are 'GDs' or 'Gangster Disciples', then chased the cyclist into the train station. There, they punched and spat at him before stealing his bike and fleeing. Police captured the pair soon after the attack.
During the arrest, Pearson was allegedly found with ten bags of heroin and four bags of cocaine. Pearson has been charged with robbery and possession of a controlled substance, while Cooper faces a robbery charge. Pearson also had active warrants for failing to appear in court on four pending felony cases.
Background: The 2017 Torture Case
This arrest comes just two years after Cooper completed his seven-year prison sentence for the 2017 torture case that shocked the nation. Cooper and three others—Jordan Hill, Tanishia Covington, and Brittany Covington—kidnapped an 18-year-old disabled white teenager, holding him captive for three days while subjecting him to brutal physical and racial abuse.
The gang livestreamed portions of the torture on Facebook Live, where they could be heard shouting 'f*** white people' and 'f*** Trump'. Horrific footage showed the victim with tape over his mouth and hands tied as he was beaten for hours. The abuse included cutting part of his scalp with a knife and forcing him to drink from a toilet.
The livestream remained on Facebook for over half an hour, while the victim's ordeal lasted more than three days. He eventually escaped and was found by a police officer wandering bloodied and disoriented on a street.
Legal Outcomes and Backlash
Following arrests, all four perpetrators received plea deals. Brittany Covington avoided jail time with a four-year probation sentence. Tanishia Covington was sentenced to three years in prison, Cooper to seven years, and Hill to eight years. These relatively light sentences sparked significant public backlash as gory details of the torture emerged.
The case generated such outrage that then-President Barack Obama expressed his horror. During Cooper's sentencing, the victim's family advocated for support services upon his release, with the judge noting resources should help Cooper understand that 'hatred is not something that is going to be a possibility for you when you get out.'
This latest arrest underscores ongoing concerns about recidivism and violent crime in Chicago, highlighting a troubling pattern for Cooper post-incarceration.
