Six College Students Charged with Kidnapping in TikTok-Inspired ‘To Catch a Predator’ Plot

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Six college students from Assumption University in New England have been charged with kidnapping after allegedly luring an active-duty military service member to their campus as part of a disturbing “To Catch a Predator”-inspired plot.

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The students are accused of using a dating app to ambush the 22-year-old victim in a staged scenario that mimicked the popular social media trend.

The students, aged 18 and 19, appeared in court on Thursday for their arraignment on charges of conspiracy and kidnapping.

The group included Kelsy Brainard, 18, Easton Randall, 19, Kevin Carroll, 18, Isabella Trudeau, 18, and Joaquin Smith, 18, along with a sixth, unnamed minor who faced charges in juvenile court.

The victim, who had traveled to the area for his grandmother’s funeral, said he was using the Tinder app simply to connect with people.

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Brainard allegedly used her account to arrange the meeting, inviting the service member to the private Roman Catholic school, located about 45 miles west of Boston.

Once there, Brainard reportedly led him to a basement lounge, where a group of students ambushed him, accusing him of being a “pedophile” and trying to engage with 17-year-old girls.

Six College Students Charged with Kidnapping in TikTok-Inspired ‘To Catch a Predator’ Plot

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As the situation escalated, the serviceman managed to break free but was chased back to his car by a crowd of about 25 students, most of whom recorded the incident.

One student is alleged to have punched the victim in the head before he fled and called police. Brainard later filed a report claiming she was scared of a predator on campus, but surveillance footage and cellphone videos disproved her and the group’s claims.

The students were inspired by the “catch a predator” trend circulating on social media, which mimics the TV show of the same name. Randall admitted to police that the plot was influenced by this trend, with the goal of publicly exposing the victim.

Brainard faces additional charges for witness intimidation, while Carroll has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The minor has been identified as the person who allegedly punched the victim.

The five adult students entered not-guilty pleas, with a pre-trial conference set for March 28. The case has drawn significant attention due to its disturbing nature and the role social media played in inspiring such behavior.

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