Stevenson Charles (Gwinnett County Jail).
A 23-year-old man from Florida has been given a life sentence for committing a series of horrendous crimes. The man sexually assaulted a man from Georgia at gunpoint, after which he abducted the victim and his spouse. His sinister plan was to coerce them into driving around town to buy gift cards.
According to an announcement from the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office in Georgia, Stevenson Charles admitted guilt to charges of false imprisonment, aggravated sodomy, and multiple counts of kidnapping, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Following his confession, he was handed a life sentence in prison, with the chance of parole considered by the judge.
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Prosecutors revealed that Charles initially met his victim through a gay dating app called Scruff in November 2022. On November 10 of the same year, Charles and the victim had an in-person meeting. It was during this encounter that Charles, at gunpoint, carried out a sexual assault before proceeding to rob the victim. Subsequently, he coerced the victim to lead him to their residence. After reaching the victim’s home, Charles not only abducted the victim and his spouse, but also stole their wedding rings. Furthermore, Charles forced them to drive to multiple retail stores to purchase gift cards for him.
“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 said this case serves as a warning.
“Be careful not to allow yourself to become a victim by hooking up with strangers on dating apps,” she said.
Charles has a history of similar crimes. He was convicted in federal court last year for carjacking, kidnapping and robbing five victims in Miami. According to the criminal complaint in that case, Charles met the victims and then pulled out a gun before forcing them to drive to banks to withdraw money in October and November 2022. He invited one victim back to his own house, the complaint said. The victim went to Charles’ bedroom and noticed he was wearing a GPS ankle monitor. Charles then pulled out a gun and forced him to drive to the bank. With another victim, Charles forced the man to lay down in the backseat and would pistol whip him whenever he lifted his head, the affidavit said.
The victims were eventually able to run away and seek help. A federal judge sentenced him to 45 years in prison.
Charles met many of the victims on Grindr, another gay dating app, prosecutors said.
Charles’ lawyer in the Florida case said in a sentencing memorandum said his client dropped out of school in the 8th grade and may have a learning disability. He was also affected by the absence of his father, who was absent because he was in prison.
