Five students from Assumption University, a private Catholic institution in Massachusetts, are facing legal repercussions after allegedly orchestrating a scheme to entrap a man under the guise of a popular TikTok trend known as “To Catch a Predator.” The students, aged 18 and 19, were charged on December 4 with kidnapping and conspiracy related to an incident that reportedly occurred on the university campus in Worcester on October 1. Additional charges of witness intimidation and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon have been filed against two of the students.
According to local law enforcement, the students used the dating app Tinder to lure the man to the university campus. The group reportedly attempted to mimic a TikTok trend that involves entrapping alleged sexual predators and then either physically assaulting them or alerting the police, as reported by local CBS affiliate WBZ.
The man was led to a lounge in the university’s Alumni Hall, where the students allegedly ambushed him from hidden locations, accusing him of being a sexual predator. The man reported to the police that the group suddenly appeared and began accusing him of being a pedophile and expressing sexual interest in underage girls, as per a police report cited by MassLive.com.
The man was able to escape the initial confrontation, but was pursued and attacked by a group of approximately 25 individuals. He managed to reach his car and flee the scene before contacting the police. Court documents cited by MassLive reveal that the group was seen returning to the lounge shortly after, appearing to celebrate their actions.
One of the female students involved in the incident reportedly told police that a “creepy guy” had come to campus intending to meet an underage girl. However, police have dismissed this claim as false, stating that the report was a fraudulent attempt to mislead law enforcement into believing a sexual predator was on campus, according to WBZ.
The Worcester Telegram & Gazette reported that one of the students involved likened the incident to the reality TV series hosted by Chris Hansen, where men are caught attempting to engage in sexual activities with minors. The student admitted that their attempt to replicate this scenario had spiraled out of control.
The man involved in the incident told police that he was in town for his grandmother’s funeral and had used Tinder to seek company. He was invited to the campus by one of the female students involved in the incident, as reported by the Boston Globe.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Assumption University condemned the actions of the students, stating that they were “abhorrent and antithetical to Assumption University’s mission and values.” The university has launched an investigation into the incident and is committed to maintaining a respectful and safe campus environment.