A 23-year-old man from Florida has been sentenced to life in prison for assaulting a Georgia man at gunpoint and subsequently kidnapping both the victim and his husband to compel them to purchase gift cards around town.
Stevenson Charles has admitted guilt to charges including false imprisonment, aggravated sodomy, and multiple counts of kidnapping, armed robbery, and aggravated assault, according to a press release from the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office in Georgia. A judge recently handed down a life sentence with the chance for parole.
Prosecutors reported that Charles encountered the assault victim in November 2022 through the gay dating app Scruff. On November 10, 2022, Charles and the victim had an in-person meeting. Prosecutors allege that Charles “compelled a sexual act at gunpoint” prior to robbing the victim.
Charles compelled the man to lead him to the victim’s residence. Upon arrival, he abducted the victim and their spouse, took their wedding rings, and forced them to drive to multiple retail locations where he purchased gift cards for his own use.
“This defendant’s behavior is absolutely outrageous,” Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “We are pleased with this life sentence, and we hope this resolution gives justice to the individuals he targeted.”
Austin-Gatson stated that this case acts as a cautionary tale.
“Be careful not to allow yourself to become a victim by hooking up with strangers on dating apps,” she said.
Charles has committed similar offenses in the past. Last year, he faced conviction in federal court for carjacking, kidnapping, and robbing five individuals in Miami. In the criminal complaint for the case, it is stated that Charles encountered the victims and subsequently brandished a gun, compelling them to drive to banks for cash withdrawals during October and November 2022.
According to the complaint, he brought one victim to his home. The victim entered Charles’ bedroom and observed that he had a GPS ankle monitor on. Charles brandished a firearm and compelled him to drive to the bank. According to the affidavit, Charles compelled the man to lie down in the backseat and struck him with the gun whenever he raised his head.
The individuals managed to escape and find assistance. A federal judge has handed down a 45-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors stated that Charles encountered numerous victims on Grindr, a popular gay dating application.
In a sentencing memorandum, Charles’ lawyer mentioned that his client left school after the 8th grade and might have a learning disability. He felt the impact of his father’s absence, who was away due to being incarcerated.