According to federal authorities, a guy posed as a nurse on social media and dating apps to entice at least four women into romantic connections before kidnapping, abusing, and harassing them.
Herman Brightman, 30, of New Jersey, was charged with eight counts, including “kidnapping, interstate travel to commit domestic violence, interstate communication of a threat, cyberstalking, and interstate stalking,” according to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York on December 11.
Officials claimed Brightman, who went under the identities “Nazir Griffiths” and “Nazir Luckett,” uploaded images and videos of himself on Facebook and Hinge acting as a nurse in the New York City region wearing scrubs, lab coats, and phony IDs.
According to court filings, Brightman deceived and assaulted at least four women between January 2022 and September 2023.
“Herman Brightman preyed on woman after woman, luring them into meeting and dating him while posing as a nurse or nurse practitioner to gain their trust.” “He quickly became physically abusive to them,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in a news release.
According to court filings, Brightman is accused of kidnapping a victim and her 2-year-old child at knifepoint; tying, choking, and threatening to “gut” a second victim “like a fish;” physically torturing and stalking a third victim; and beating and keeping a fourth victim hostage.
According to court papers, Brightman used physical abuse, stalking, and threats to discourage victims from reporting authorities.
According to court documents, many of Brightman’s victims were able to flee and alert police.
Brightman was seized on December 11 and considered to be a flight risk and a threat, according to bail records.
Brightman’s defense counsel did not immediately reply to a McClatchy News request for comment on December 12.
Anyone who believes they have been harmed by Brightman, including using the names “Nazir Griffiths” and “Nazir Luckett,” or anyone with information, is requested to call the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York at 1-866-874-8900.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse and need to talk to someone, call the National Domestic abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788.
