WORCESTER, Massachusetts (WBZ) — 5 college students at Assumption College in Massachusetts are going through felony fees after police say they used a relationship app to lure a person to campus, then attacked him in an try and recreate a TikTok development based mostly on the present “To Catch a Predator.”
Assumption College college students Joaquin Smith, Isabella Trudeau, Kevin Carroll, Kelsy Brainard, and Easton Randall are every charged with kidnapping and conspiracy. Carroll additionally faces a cost of assault and battery with a harmful weapon whereas Brainard faces a further cost of witness intimidation.
The incident unfolded October 1, 2024, although a felony grievance was not issued till December 4.
Brainard, who is eighteen years previous, allegedly used Tinder to ask the sufferer to campus. Police mentioned the aim of the group was “to simulate the TikTok fad of luring a sexual predator to a location and subsequently bodily assaulting him or calling the police.”
“To Catch a Predator” was a tv present that tried to catch grownup males who had been attempting to have sexual encounters with underage folks they met on-line.
Randall allegedly advised police that the group was attempting to simulate the TikTok development that recreates the premise of the present however, “this bought out of hand and went dangerous.”
The day of the incident, Assumption College police acquired a report of a disturbance at Alumni Corridor. At first, Brainard advised an officer she was the sufferer within the incident. She claimed a “creepy man” she met on Tinder got here to campus in hopes of assembly an underage woman.
The Worcester Police Division later acquired a report from the sufferer, who mentioned he was on campus to satisfy a woman and was subsequently attacked by a “mob.”
“The topic reported that he was in a position to break away and ran up the steps being chased by the group of 25 or extra,” police mentioned.
In keeping with court docket paperwork, additional investigation confirmed that Brainard was not being truthful about what occurred.
“Upon acquiring footage it’s decided that the report filed by Ms. Brainard was false and fabricated and her victimization was fraudulently reported to mislead police in believing a sexual predator was on campus to hide that the topic was lured to campus to be caught as a sexual predator by a bunch of scholars missing authorized authority to take action,” the report reads.
Police mentioned Brainard could be seen on video laughing and smiling and “doesn’t look like in worry and even barely uncomfortable,” when the sufferer arrived within the dorm corridor.
After a bunch that was ready close by allegedly “berated” the sufferer and accused him of being a sexual predator, police say surveillance and cellphone movies present he was restrained and held in opposition to his will.
The sufferer was in a position to break away and run from the room, whereas being chased by a big group of scholars as he fled to his automotive.
Whereas on the automotive, police say the sufferer was punched, kicked, and had the motive force’s aspect door repeatedly slammed on his head.
Assumption police mentioned Tinder messages don’t point out that the sufferer was looking for an underage woman.
The college launched a press release, calling the scholars’ alleged conduct “abhorrent and antithetical to Assumption College’s mission and values.”
“This incident highlights the very actual hurt that social media can inflict when it promotes harmful and irresponsible conduct,” the assertion learn partially.
The college mentioned it can not touch upon what punishment the scholars might face.
“Whereas we can not touch upon the continuing scholar conduct investigations and attendant disciplinary processes, Assumption College is dedicated to sustaining a campus atmosphere the place each particular person is handled with respect and dignity–together with visitors,” the Assumption spokesperson mentioned. “We strongly condemn all types of violence and misconduct, and we’re devoted to fostering a neighborhood the place all people really feel secure and supported.”
The scholars are scheduled to be arraigned on January 16.
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