A Compton man accused of targeting and robbing more than 20 gay men he met on the Grindr dating application will remain in federal custody pending trial, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Derrick Patterson, 22, was arrested Monday by special agents with the FBI. Patterson, who is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, appeared in court Tuesday, where a magistrate judge ordered him detained on the grounds of being a flight risk and a danger to the community, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Arraignment was set for April 25.
Patterson allegedly targeted his victims by using Grindr. Prosecutors say he met his victims at their homes or in hotel rooms, purportedly for sexual encounters, then robbed them. During the robberies, Patterson allegedly pulled weapons — knives or a taser gun — on his victims, then demanded money and their cell phones, before fleeing the scene with the victims’ wallets.
On other occasions, Patterson is accused of physically assaulting his victims. He then allegedly later withdrew money from victims’ bank accounts or used their credit cards for his own personal expenses, according to an affidavit filed with the criminal complaint.
During a robbery in October 2020, Patterson allegedly stabbed a victim in the chest. The victim survived and later positively identified Patterson during a photographic lineup as his attacker, according to federal prosecutors.
A final robbery occurred on March 26 at a hotel in Beverly Hills, the affidavit alleges.
If convicted, Patterson would face up to 20 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.