Stevenson Charles (Gwinnett County Jail).
A 23-year-old Florida man received a life prison sentence for sodomizing a Georgia man at gunpoint and then kidnapping the victim and his husband so he could force them to drive around town buying gift cards.
Stevenson Charles pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, aggravated sodomy, and two counts each of kidnapping, armed robbery and aggravated assault, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office in Georgia said in a press release. A judge last week sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
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Prosecutors said Charles met the assault victim in November 2022 on the gay dating app Scruff. On Nov. 10, 2022, Charles and that victim met up in person. Prosecutors say Charles “forced a sexual act at gunpoint” before robbing the victim. Charles then forced the man to take him to the victim’s home. Once there, he kidnapped the victim and his husband, stole their wedding rings and made them drive to various retail stores where he bought gift cards for him to 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 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.
