Derrick Patterson, a 22 year old Compton native, is being charged in a criminal complaint with one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, which is taking someones property “by means of actual or threatened force.”
Between November 2019 and March 2022, Patterson connected with over 21 homosexual men through the social networking app Grindr.
He allegedly targeted victims and robbed them. Unsuspecting victims assumed they were connecting for sexual encounters until Patterson pulled out weapons demanding their valuables.
After taking the victims personal belongings, Patterson would withdraw money from their bank account and use their credit cards.
There were instances where Patterson physically attacked victims.
For example, during a robbery in October 2020, Patterson allegedly stabbed a victim in the chest. The victim survived and was able to positively identify Patterson during a photographic line-up as his attacker.
Pattersons final robbery transpired on March 26 at a hotel in Beverly Hills, the affidavit alleges.
Patterson was arrested by the FBI on Monday April 4, 2022. He had his first appearance in United States District Court on Monday April 5, 2022.
While this investigation is still ongoing, anyone who believes they may have been a victim or targeted can contact the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565.
