Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping a Gay Man as Part of Scheme to Kidnap and Murder Grindr Users
Chance Seneca, 21, of Lafayette, Louisiana, pleaded guilty in the Fall of 2021 before U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays to one count of kidnapping.
According to his plea agreement, Seneca admitted that on June 20, 2020, he used Grindr, a dating application for gay and bisexual men, to kidnap and attempt to murder H.W., a gay man.
Grindr Hunting Ground
Specifically, Seneca acknowledged using Grindr to propose a meeting with H.W.
He drove H.W. to an isolated house, took out a handgun, and told him to put on handcuffs.
Seneca then attempted to murder and dismember H.W.
Seneca acknowledged that he intended to murder and dismember H.W. to satisfy his homicidal urges and that he had planned to continue murdering until he was caught or killed.
He has also confessed to wanting to become the next Jeffry Dahlmer.
“The actions and intentions of the defendant, in this case, were shocking,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
“The internet should be accessible and safe for all Americans, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The Justice Department will continue to identify and hold accountable anyone who uses online spaces as a means to terrorize or abuse others.”
“The facts surrounding the events that took place, in this case, are very disturbing,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana.
“It is nothing short of miraculous that the victims who endured the vicious attacks from this defendant survived. We will continue to fight to seek justice for victims who suffer at the hands of defendants such as this.”
The statutory maximum for the kidnapping offense is life imprisonment.
Seneca faces additional exposure under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines if the sentencing court finds beyond a reasonable doubt that he intentionally selected the victim because of the victim’s actual or perceived gender or sexual orientation.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Brown, and Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. for the FBI New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI and the Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Myers Namie of the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division.
