4 Michigan Men Face Felony Charges After Alleged Teen Hookup on Grindr

From: Edge

Cody Swatling

Four Michigan men face felony charges after allegedly hooking up with a teen boy they independently met on the gay dating app, Grindr, HomeTownLife.com reports.

Cody Hunter Swatling, 18, and Alex Peter Benedict, 24, are each being held on a $500,00 bond and are each charged with accosting a child for immoral purposes. The teen in question was 15 years old at the time of the incidents. 

Swatling also faces two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduit and one count each of using a computer to commit the crime and possession of child sexuality abusive material. Additionally, Benedict was charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and using a computer to communicate with another to commit a crime.

"Livingston County District Court records show that Cody Hunter Swatling, 18, of South Lyon, waived a probable-cause hearing Tuesday, sending his case to Circuit Court for trial," the HomeTownLife.com writes.

Alex Benedict

Warrants were authorized for two other men: John Joseph Gaslorek III, 20, and Burhan Ahmed Mian, 27. They both face allegations of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, accosting a minor for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime.

The website notes the warrant also charges Gaslorek with one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and Mian faces a charge of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, court records say. 

Police from Brighton, Mich., said four men independently "connected with" the teen via Grindr. The alleged encounters occurred in January and March and were reported by a family member of the teen, who is now 16. HomeTownLife.com reports it is unclear how the relative learned of the encounters.