San Antonio, Texas — A Texas man will spend decades behind bars after prosecutors say he used a dating app to lure victims into meetings that ended in deadly shootings.
On Friday, 25-year-old Jer Auntey Pleasant was sentenced to four separate 50-year prison terms after being convicted in connection with multiple violent crimes, including two murders, according to the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.
The sentences stem from the killings of 54-year-old Larry Wilson and 22-year-old Joseph West, along with convictions for aggravated robbery and aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Officials confirmed that all four 50-year sentences will run concurrently, meaning they will be served at the same time.
Prosecutors say dating app was used to lure victims
Investigators say Pleasant used the popular social networking and dating app Grindr to communicate with one of the victims before arranging an in-person meeting.
According to prosecutors, Pleasant connected with a victim through the app in March 2022, setting up a meeting that authorities say quickly turned violent.
Prosecutors say Pleasant shot the victim during an attempted robbery after arranging the meeting through the dating app.
Officials described the incident as the beginning of a pattern of violent behavior tied to online interactions.
Authorities say crimes escalated in following months
Prosecutors said the case also involved another serious crime committed later that same year.
In July 2022, investigators say Pleasant sexually assaulted a 13-year-old child, with DNA evidence later identifying him as the suspect.
The case remained under investigation as authorities continued gathering evidence related to the various allegations.
Two murders occurred on consecutive days in 2023
Authorities said the most alarming incidents happened in April 2023, when two separate killings occurred on back-to-back days in San Antonio.
According to prosecutors, Pleasant used the name “Derek” while communicating online with Larry Wilson before arranging a meeting at the Banyan Tree Apartments.
Investigators say Wilson met Pleasant at the apartment complex on April 14, 2023, where he was fatally shot.
Just one day later, on April 15, another victim was discovered dead.
Joseph West, 22, was found inside his apartment with a fatal gunshot wound to the head, authorities said.
The close timing of the two killings quickly raised concerns among investigators.
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Forensic evidence helped link the crimes
Law enforcement officials say forensic evidence played a key role in solving the case.
Investigators recovered fingerprints matching Pleasant at both crime scenes, helping authorities connect the two murders.
Ballistics testing also revealed that the same firearm had been used in both shootings.
Prosecutors said the shared ballistic evidence and fingerprints allowed detectives to quickly link the cases.
Additional evidence reportedly included fingerprints found on condom wrappers at the crime scenes, which investigators say further connected Pleasant to both incidents.
Victim’s family warned about risks of online meetings
Following the murders, family members of one of the victims spoke publicly about the dangers they believe may be associated with meeting strangers through online platforms.
Johnny Wilson, the brother of victim Larry Wilson, shared his concerns in an interview shortly after the killings.
“I feel in my heart he was set up,” he said. “Them dating apps nowadays—you’ve got to watch out.”
Authorities often caution users of dating apps to take precautions when meeting someone for the first time, including choosing public locations and informing friends or family about meeting plans.
Defendant sentenced to decades in prison
With the sentencing now complete, Pleasant will spend at least 50 years in prison under the concurrent sentences handed down in the case.
Prosecutors said the outcome reflects the seriousness of the crimes and the harm caused to multiple victims and their families.
Officials also emphasized that the case highlights the importance of careful online interactions and law enforcement’s use of forensic evidence to solve violent crimes.
What are your thoughts on the risks of meeting strangers through dating apps? Share your perspective respectfully in the comments below.
