Fake Nurse Used Dating Apps to Kidnap and Assault Women—Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

A case that has sent ripples through nursing communities nationwide reached its conclusion when Herman Calvin Brightman received a 10-year federal prison sentence for crimes committed while impersonating a nurse. Brightman, who also used aliases "Nazir Griffiths" and "Nazir Luckett," pled guilty to traveling across state lines to commit violent crimes and sending interstate threats after systematically targeting women through dating apps and social media platforms.

About The Case

According to court documents from the Southern District of New York, Brightman methodically created a false professional identity as a nurse or nurse practitioner working in New York City hospitals. To authenticate this fabrication, he shared photographs and videos of himself wearing scrubs and lab coats, effectively exploiting the trust typically associated with nursing professionals. He posed as a nurse on dating apps and social media to kidnap, assault, threaten, and harass at least four women across New York and New Jersey. Brightman sent posed photos and videos depicting himself as a nurse or nurse practitioner - wearing scrubs, white coats, and fake IDs - to connect with victims. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “Herman Brightman preyed on women he met through online dating websites. By posing as a nurse, Brightman earned the trust of his victims, and then stalked, assaulted, and threatened them. With today’s lengthy prison sentence, Brightman can no longer inflict pain or fear in his victims. I commend the brave women who spoke out against Brightman to ensure that he was held accountable for his crimes.”

Catfishing Scheme and Violent Attacks

Once Brightman lured women into meeting him under the false pretense of a date or romantic encounter, prosecutors allege he would kidnap, assault, threaten, and harass them. These attacks took place across New York City and New Jersey, including in Queens, Mount Vernon, the Bronx, and New Jersey. 

About The Allegations

Brightman exhibited a pattern of violent behavior towards women he was involved with. The allegations, as outlined in the Indictment spanning from January 2022 to September 2023, reveal a distressing series of incidents involving at least four victims. The cases are outlined: 

• One such incident occurred around July 2022 when Brightman forcibly transported a woman and her minor child to his residence at knifepoint. Threatening to kill Victim-1 if she caused any trouble, Brightman held her captive for an entire evening, only allowing her to leave temporarily the next morning after she convinced him.

• In August 2023, Brightman viciously attacked a Queens woman he had been dating in her own home, wielding a knife and making terrifying threats. Despite Victim-2 ending the relationship, Brightman continued to harass her with numerous threatening phone calls, exhibiting a disturbing level of obsession.

• In early September 2023, Brightman targeted a third woman he was dating. He lured her into his car, assaulted her, and even forced her to call another victim, escalating the violence by putting her in a chokehold. A subsequent confrontation at her workplace and a later assault near her home demonstrated Brightman’s escalating aggression.

• In late September 2023, BRIGHTMAN entered the home of a fourth woman who had previously ended their relationship. Inside her residence, he assaulted and attempted to rape her. Fortunately, she managed to escape with the help of a friend.

By posing as a nurse and using fake names on dating apps and social media, Brightman was able to carry out a sinister catfishing scheme to manipulate, threaten, and harm victims. 

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