URochester PhD student and Teaching Assistant (TA) Tristan Bass-Krueger was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia on charges of possession, dissemination, and production of child pornography Mar. 25.
The 32-year-old individual was caught using the popular dating app Tinder to exchange messages with a 14-year-old child that were “sexual in nature,” according to a report received by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 12.
The exchange went beyond text; Bass-Krueger was accused of spending five hours with the 14-year-old after picking them up from their home Feb. 4.
On Feb. 8, the messages continued, Brass-Krueger wrote: “I really like you an[d] am looking forward to hanging out tomorrow, but tbh I see this relationship ending in heartbreak for you, the age gap [is] just too big to work out long term and I’m risking serious jail time that’ll start to weigh on me more.”
Fearing discovery, Bass-Krueger later instructed the minor: “If you suspect anything delete all our communication and vids.”
Though he was arrested in Atlanta, Bass-Krueger will be extradited to the Western District of New York.
If convicted, the charges carry a maximum criminal sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to prosecutors.
Bass-Krueger’s Tinder profile contained a bio stating he is a PhD student at URochester who “love[s] art and literature, good food, travelling, and gathering new experiences!” according to a press release issued by federal prosecutors.
According to the original criminal complaint made by prosecutors, the 14-year-old was the one who had initiated contact with Bass-Krueger through Tinder.
Documents show that the exchange became sexual almost immediately, with lewd messages written by Bass-Krueger.
Along with messages, the two exchanged sexual videos and images including one video sent to Bass-Krueger of the victim masturbating, which law enforcement has recovered.
“Based on my training and experience, I believe that this video constitutes child pornography as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 2256(8),” said Steven J. Thomsen, a task force officer for Homeland Security Investigations, in an affidavit.
Last fall, Bass-Krueger served as a TA for Dr. Lisa Cerami’s Modern Languages & Cultures Major Seminar (CLTR 389).
“Tristan Bass-Krueger is a PhD student who does not live on campus and has been working on his graduate degree requirements independently,” University Spokesperson Sara Miller said in a statement. “Effective immediately, he will be prohibited from entering campus. University officials have been cooperating with local law enforcement since learning of the pending charges.”
As of writing, Bass-Krueger did not respond to a request for comment.
