Charges Dismissed for Five College Students in Dating App Incident

News Summary

A judge has dismissed conspiracy and kidnapping charges against five Assumption University students involved in a bizarre dating app incident. The students were accused of luring a military man to campus under false pretenses, leading to a violent confrontation. While the main charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence, some students still face ongoing charges, including witness intimidation and assault. This case raises important questions about the impact of social media trends on real-life situations and accountability.

Charges Dismissed for Five College Students in Controversial Dating App Incident

In a surprising twist, a judge has decided to dismiss conspiracy and kidnapping charges against five students from Assumption University in Massachusetts. This case has garnered quite a bit of attention due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the alleged incident, which was described as a bizarre scheme inspired by the popular “Catch a Predator” social media trend.

The Scheme Unfolds

Five students, all in their teens, found themselves facing serious legal troubles after authorities accused them of plotting to lure a 22-year-old man, who is an active-duty military service member, to their campus through a dating app. The entire operation was allegedly orchestrated by one of the students using their Tinder account to invite the man under false pretenses, claiming to be 18 years old.

After arriving on campus in October, the unsuspecting man was reportedly ambushed by a large group of students who confronted him, accusing him of being a predator trying to meet underage girls. The situation quickly escalated, with the man allegedly chased to his car, where he was physically assaulted, sustaining injuries from being punched and having his car door forcefully slammed on him.

Judicial Proceedings

Initially, the five students—Kelsy Brainard, Easton Randall, Kevin Carroll, Isabella Trudeau, and Joaquin Smith—were arraigned back in January and pleaded not guilty to the serious charges. However, during a recent hearing at the Worcester District Court, the judge dismissed the case against them, citing insufficient evidence.

Defense lawyers argued convincingly that the authorities did not possess probable cause to believe their clients had committed any crimes. They pointed to a lack of evidence supporting the claim that the man had any ulterior motives in meeting with Brainard, emphasizing that no concrete proof was found to indicate he sought sexual relations with underage girls.

Surveillance Footage and Ongoing Charges

Intriguingly, campus surveillance footage captured the chaotic scene, with students, including Brainard, recording the rambunctious encounter on their phones, seemingly orchestrating the entire event. Afterward, Brainard allegedly went on to falsely report the man to the authorities as a sexual predator, leading to further complications in the case.

While the conspiracy and kidnapping charges have been dismissed, it’s important to note that some charges remain. Brainard still faces a witness intimidation charge related to her actions during this whole episode, and Carroll is up against a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Impact on the Victim

The underlying circumstances surrounding the incident reveal a more poignant side to the story. The man, who was in the area for his grandmother’s funeral, was simply looking to be around positive and happy people after a time of personal loss. Unfortunately, he found himself in a situation that spiraled completely out of control.

The investigation got underway after the man reported the incident to the Worcester Police Department, leading to the quick apprehension of the students involved. Following the court’s orders, the students have been instructed to maintain a no-contact order with the targeted man, further underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

The Road Ahead

As for the students, it remains unclear whether charges are still pending against a sixth student involved in the incident, who is currently facing proceedings in juvenile court. The case raises critical questions about the fine line between playful social media trends and the potential for serious consequences when such trends go awry.

While the judge’s dismissal of the charges offers some relief for the five college students, it also opens the door for conversations about accountability, consent, and the societal implications of modern dating culture. In the end, this bizarre situation may serve as a much-needed wake-up call for everyone involved.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Telegram: Charges Tossed in Assumption Predator Case
• ABC News: Charges Dropped Against College Students
• Patch: Assumption Students Cleared in Catch a Predator Incident
• MassLive: Judge Dismisses Charges Against Assumption Students
• Wikipedia: Catch a Predator