Lafayette, La. (10/3/2022) – Chance Seneca, 21, of Lafayette, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today 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 murder H.W., a gay man. Specifically, Seneca acknowledged that he used Grindr to propose a meeting with H.W., 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.
“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. Sentencing is scheduled for January 25, 2023.
The FBI and the Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation. Deputy Criminal Chief Myers Namie prosecuted this case.
Source: FBI Press Release
