Charges against five Massachusetts college students, originally accused of conspiracy and kidnapping, have been dismissed by a judge. These students from Assumption University were alleged to have enticed a man to their campus via a dating app, then attempted to capture him as part of a social media trend known as “Catch a Predator.” The students, all in their teens, had been arraigned in January and pleaded not guilty. Defense attorneys argued there was insufficient evidence to support the charges against them.
In a recent decision, the Worcester District Court judge dropped the charges against Kelsy Brainard, Easton Randall, Kevin Carroll, Isabella Trudeau, and Joaquin Smith. The status of a sixth student involved, whose case was in juvenile court, remains unclear. Despite the dismissal of the primary charges, Brainard still faces a charge of witness intimidation, while Carroll faces a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Authorities alleged that Brainard had used her Tinder account to lure the individual to the private, Roman Catholic university in Worcester. Defense attorneys presented a video in which a university police officer interrogated one of the students, arguing it demonstrated an incomplete portrayal of the evidence.
The campus police report described the encounter with a 22-year-old active-duty military service member, who claimed he was quickly confronted by a group accusing him of inappropriate intentions with 17-year-old girls. The man reported being chased and assaulted by several individuals before escaping. Surveillance footage showed numerous students apparently recording the incident, which appeared staged, contradicting claims of predatory behavior.
Randall admitted to police that the group was inspired by a popular trend on TikTok and had coordinated the event through a dormitory chat group. Following the incident, Brainard falsely reported the man as a sexual predator, according to police findings.
The Bottom Line
- The dismissal of charges suggests a critical examination of the evidence and the need for due process in legal proceedings, ensuring justice is properly served.
- The incident highlights the potential dangers of social media trends crossing into real-life actions, posing ethical and legal challenges.
- This case underscores the importance of campus safety and the role institutions play in managing student behavior and investigating allegations.
- Community members may be concerned about the implications of false accusations and the potential harm to reputations and safety.
- This situation serves as a reminder of the need for responsible digital conduct and the serious consequences of misusing online platforms.