Worcester, MA — A Worcester District Court judge has dismissed charges against five Assumption University students accused of orchestrating a plot against a U.S. Army soldier, which mimicked tactics from online “catch a predator” stings. The students, Kelsey Brainard, Isabella Trudeau, Joaquin Smith, Kevin Carroll, and Easton Randall, faced allegations of kidnapping and conspiracy arising from an incident involving a dating app lure.
The charges were dismissed after defense attorneys argued last month that there was insufficient probable cause to support the allegations. The legal proceedings have spotlighted not only the students’ actions but also the broader implications of vigilante justice fueled by social media trends.
The controversy began when the group reportedly used a Tinder account to draw the 22-year-old soldier to the university under the pretense of meeting a young woman. Court documents revealed that the supposed woman told the soldier she was 17, nearly 18 – a fact he acknowledged as acceptable given her college student status. Upon his arrival at a campus basement lounge in October, the soldier was ambushed by a group accusing him of predatory behavior, leading to a chaotic scene where he was verbally harassed and physically assaulted.
Defense attorney Christopher Todd highlighted in his motion that there was no conclusive footage showing the students preventing the man from leaving the scene. Furthermore, he pointed out that while the altercation was taking place, Brainard was not actively participating but remained inside the lounge.
The incident, reportedly inspired by a ‘catch a predator’ trend popular on the social media platform TikTok, was part of a misguided attempt by the students to expose alleged sexual predators. This method involved rallying peers through dormitory chats to confront the so-called predator. The targeted soldier, however, was found by the police not to be seeking illegal activities, undermining the group’s claims.
Following the confrontation, Assumption University’s police department took swift action by filing charges, reflecting the institution’s procedure in handling such incidents on campus. While the major charges have been dropped, Carroll still faces a separate charge for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and Brainard is charged with witness intimidation.
This case underscores the potential dangers of vigilante actions influenced by digital culture, where the lines between lawful justice and reckless endangerment can blur rapidly. It serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with leveraging powerful social media platforms for activism or enforcement.
The remaining legal allegations against the students are set to continue through the judicial process, ensuring that each element of the case is thoroughly examined and adjudicated according to the law.
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