NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A New Jersey man who posed as a nurse on dating apps and social media was charged on Monday with kidnapping and abusing multiple women in New Jersey, Queens, Mount Vernon and the Bronx, the Department of Justice said.
Herman Calvin Brightman, 30, from January 2022 to September 2023, allegedly used social media platforms, including Facebook and the dating app Hinge, posing as a nurse or nurse practitioner, complete with fake IDs and images of himself in medical attire to meet and date several women posing as a nurse or nurse practitioner, according to the allegations in the indictment unsealed Monday in Manhattan federal court.
Brightman is accused of brutalizing at least four women.
“The men and women of the NYPD condemn these deeply disturbing and heinous acts allegedly committed by a serial predator,” NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said. “Across jurisdictional boundaries, we and our law enforcement partners take all accusations of abuse seriously and remain dedicated to ensuring justice for the victims.”
In one case in July 2022, Brightman allegedly forced a woman and her child at knifepoint to travel to his house after she decided to break up with him. He allegedly threatened her life and told her if she “made any problems” he would kill her and then physically restrained her to prevent her escape. She eventually managed to contact the police after convincing Brightman to let her leave temporarily.
In August 2023, another victim in Queens was attacked and threatened at knifepoint in her home. Brightman reportedly bound her hands, tried to tape her mouth, and made repeated threats. After their breakup, he allegedly harassed her with over 20 phone calls.
In September 2023, a third victim was in Brightman's car in the Bronx. He allegedly punched her and forced her to call another victim. When she tried to escape, he chased and assaulted her again. Days later, he confronted her at her job and followed her home, where he continued his assault.
In late September 2023, Brightman allegedly convinced a fourth woman, a former partner, to let him into her home in the Bronx. There, he allegedly threw her on the flood and strangled her, leaving visible injuries. He also threatened her life and attempted to rape her. She escaped with the help of a friend.
Brightman is charged with kidnapping a minor, threatening physical harm by interstate communication, cyberstalking, kidnapping, travel in interstate commerce to commit a crime of violence, and travel in interstate commerce to stalk.