College students charged in TikTok-inspired 'catch a predator' plot appear in court

Five Massachusetts college students have appeared in court, accused of plotting to lure a man to their campus through the Tinder dating app and then seizing him as part of a “Catch a Predator” trend on TikTok. The Assumption University students, all teenagers, were arraigned Thursday on conspiracy and kidnapping charges. Not-guilty pleas were entered, and they're due back in Worcester District Court on March 28. Police said students recorded themselves laughing and high-fiving each other after chasing the man. Before leaving court, the teens were ordered to have no contact with the targeted man, who police said showed no indication he was looking for underage girls.