LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A Florida man who used a dating app to lure victims before committing kidnapping, sexual assault, and robbery has pled guilty to multiple charges in Gwinnett County, resulting in a life sentence with the possibility of parole, authorities announced this week.
Stevenson Charles, 23, admitted to charges of false imprisonment, aggravated sodomy, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of armed robbery, and two counts of aggravated assault. The plea, negotiated by Gwinnett County Assistant District Attorney Scott Estes, brings closure to a case stemming from a violent attack in November 2022.
“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.”
According to investigators, Charles connected with his initial victim through the dating app Scruff. On November 10, 2022, he met the victim in person, forced a sexual act at gunpoint, and robbed him. Under threat, the victim took Charles to his home, where Charles kidnapped both the victim and his husband. Charles took the couple’s wedding rings and forced them to drive to retail locations to purchase gift cards, which he then stole.
Charles was previously convicted in federal court in 2023 for a series of carjackings, kidnappings, and robberies in Miami, where he used another dating app, Grindr, to target victims. He also faces murder and armed robbery charges in DeKalb County for crimes committed during the same period.
DA Austin-Gatson urged the public to exercise caution when meeting strangers through dating apps, saying, “Be careful not to allow yourself to become a victim by hooking up with strangers on dating apps.”
Charles’ conviction in Gwinnett County adds to his string of violent offenses, many of which occurred in November 2022, and further underscores the dangers posed by such predatory crimes.