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Date: 09-29-2022

Case Style:

United States of America v. Chance Seneca

Case Number: 6:21-cr-00043

Judge: Robert Summerhays

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (Lafeyette Parrish)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office

Defendant's Attorney:



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Description: Lafayette, Louisiana criminal law lawyer represented Defendant charged with kidnapping in conjunction with the commission of a hate crime.

Chance Seneca, age 21, from Lafayette, Louisiana 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. Specifically, Seneca acknowledged that he used Grindr to propose a meeting with H.W., and that 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. for the purpose of satisfying 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 their 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. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2023.

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.

HATE CRIME - INCLUDING KIDNAP OR ATTEMPT TO KIDNAP, SEXUALLY ASSAULT, OR KILL - Hate Crime with Attempt to Kill
(1)
VIOLENT CRIME/DRUGS/MACHINE GUN - Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence
(2)
KIDNAPPING - Kidnapping
(3)
KIDNAPPING - Kidnapping
(4)
KIDNAPPING - Attempted Kidnapping
(5)
DESTRUCTION,ALTERNATION,FALSIFICATION RCDS FED INVESTIGATION - Obstruction by Destruction of Records
(6)

Outcome: 09/29/2022 54 MINUTES for proceedings held before Judge Robert R Summerhays: CHANGE OF PLEA HEARING as to Chance Joseph Seneca (1) held on 9/29/2022. PLEA ENTERED: Guilty Count 3. Guilty plea accepted. Clerk of Court ordered to accept defendant's payment of the special assessment, any fine and/or restitution prior to the sentencing. Presentence investigation report ordered. Sentencing set for 1/25/2023 at 10:00 AM in Lafayette, Courtroom 3 before Judge Robert R Summerhays. Defendant in custody. (Court Reporter: LaRae E Bourque) (crt,YocumSld, M) (Entered: 09/29/2022)
09/29/2022 55 ORAL ORDER OF REFERRAL to Probation for Pre-Sentence Investigation and Report as to Chance Joseph Seneca (1) by Judge Robert R Summerhays on 9/29/2022. (crt,YocumSld, M) (Entered: 09/29/2022)
09/29/2022 56 PLEA AGREEMENT Accepted as to Chance Joseph Seneca (1). (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of understanding, # 2 Factual basis for guilty plea, # 3 Elements of offense) (crt,YocumSld, M) (Entered: 09/29/2022)

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