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Assumption University students charged in connection with ‘to catch a predator’ scheme for TikTok
The students at the private university in Worcester are facing conspiracy and kidnapping charges after allegedly luring a man to campus.
Five Assumption University students are facing charges after they allegedly lured a man onto campus in a “catch a predator” scheme popular on TikTok, but police say the man had planned to meet up with an adult.
Kelsy Brainard, an 18-year-old student, allegedly invited a man to Assumption’s campus in Worcester from her Tinder, which indicated her age correctly, police said.
Within a few minutes of the man’s arrival on campus on Oct. 1, 25 to 30 people “came out of nowhere and started calling him a pedophile and accusing that he liked having sex with 17-year-old girls,” the police report filed in Worcester District Court said.
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Joaquin Smith, Kevin Carroll, Easton Randall, and Isabella Trudeau were all charged as the core group of students who allegedly orchestrated the “deliberately staged event,” police said. A juvenile is also identified by police as a conspirator.
Each student was charged with kidnapping and conspiracy on Dec. 4, according to court records. Brainard is facing an additional charge of witness intimidation, while Carroll was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
The man, whose age was not provided by police, said he was surrounded by the crowd, was unable to leave, and was grabbed and held. He said he was chased to his car and punched in the back of the head before the students allegedly slammed the car door on him and kicked the vehicle. Carroll later admitted to slamming the man’s head into the car door, according to the court documents.
Police: ‘The goal of the Tinder invite was to simulate the TikTok fad’
According to charging documents, surveillance footage shows Brainard letting the victim into the school hall before footage shows him running out a few minutes later, chased by the students with their phones out to record.
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“It appears that the group chasing (the victim) was staged and/or awaiting his arrival,” police said. “A few minutes later, you see the group coming back in, laughing and high fiving with each other, Ms. Brainard is included in the group.”
Brainard initially told police that the “creepy” guy came to campus uninvited and told Res-Life personnel that the man was looking to meet an underage girl, according to records. Police said a review of the messages between Brainard and the man did not indicate he was looking to meet underage girls.
“The goal of the Tinder invite was to simulate the TikTok fad of luring a sexual predator to a location and subsequently physically assaulting him or calling the police,” the report said. When interviewed, one of the students referenced the reality show “To Catch a Predator,” hosted by Chris Hansen.
Randall allegedly told police that the group of students agreed to lure the man to campus and sent a text about “catching a predator” that included the word “underage,” the charging documents said.
“The collection conspiracy and actions of (the six students) are directly responsible for the intentional and systematic mistreatment, false imprisonment, physical assault and battery, and potential character assassination,” of the victim, police said.
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A spokesperson for the private university said the behavior described by police is “abhorrent and antithetical to Assumption University’s mission and values.” They could not comment on any student conduct investigations or disciplinary processes.
“This incident highlights the very real harm that social media can inflict when it promotes dangerous and irresponsible behavior. In all circumstances we expect our students to exercise sound judgment and uphold the principles of respect, responsibility, and dignity that define our community,” the statement said, in part. “Assumption University is committed to maintaining a campus environment where every individual is treated with respect and dignity – including guests. We strongly condemn all forms of violence and misconduct.”
The students are due in court on Jan. 16, according to court dockets. Carroll’s lawyer did not return a request for comment Thursday night, while none of the other students had a lawyer listed.
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