VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – A 25-year-old man is facing charges after police say he attempted to sodomized another man he met on Grindr, a mobile dating application used to meet people.
According to a search warrant filed in Virginia Beach Circuit Court, Travis Curry met up with the victim after sending “16 short text messages”.
At first, the meet-up was consensual. The victim told police Curry, who goes by the name “Tristen” on Grindr, began kissing his neck. The victim “was fine with this until [Curry] began to bite him on his neck,” the search warrant reads.
According to police, that is when Curry “pinned [the victim] to the bed” even though he repeatedly “told him to stop.”
“Everyone can be a victim,” said Detective Kristy Curtis, who works with the Virginia Beach Police Special Victims Unit. “Sexual assaults know no boundaries. They don’t know race, gender or age.”
Through apps like Gindr, Tinder and Snapchat, police say it’s easier than ever to meet new people; meeting which could lead to a relationship.
“The traditional way of dating, versus the online way of dating with social media - we don’t have the data to prove or disprove whether assaults are more likely or less likely to happen,” said Curtis, “but the danger is there regardless. We just have to make sure we’re keeping ourselves safe.”
Police say if you are going to take an online relationship offline, always meet them in a public place, and tell someone where you’re going.
“If plans change, keep your friends up-to-date,” said Curtis. “The most important thing is to trust your instinct, and listen to you gut. If it doesn’t feel right, then it’s not right.
“Don’t worry about being impolite or improper. It’s ok to lie, and it’s okay to leave.”
Curtis also recommends keeping your personal information – like your full name and address – exactly that: personal.
“Keep it offline,” she told News 3.
According to the search warrant, police were able to identify Curry through cell phone records.
When interviewed by police, the search warrant states Curry denied any physical contact with the victim.
Curry was eventually arrested and charged with attempted forcible sodomy. He is expected back in court on June 24th.
