BRIDGEWATER - A professor from Bridgewater State University has been charged with the rape of a student he connected with on seeking.com, a website where individuals seek certain straightforward arrangements.

According to WCVB, Professor Nicholas Pirelli, a Plymouth resident, raped the unnamed student in his campus office last year in October. The female student is not a student of Pirelli’s who teaches communications.

After appearing in Brockton District Court following his arrest by campus police on Wednesday, Pirelli was charged with rape, as well as indecent assault and battery on a person older than 14 years of age. Bail for Pirelli was set at $2,500.

As shared in court documents, Pirelli met the student back in October 2019 through the above-mentioned website known to cater to “sugar daddies” and “sugar babies.” Pirelli was looking to be paired up with someone who shared an interest in dominatrix.

After connecting on the website, Pirelli and the student began to communicate via text. The 36-year-old also sent the student money on occasion by way of Venmo. They then made plans to meet at a Dunkin’ Donuts located in West Bridgewater with a plan to “see if they had a good connection in person.” 

Pirelli was aware the female was a student at Bridgewater State University, telling her that they would have to be “discreet,” per court documents. At a later date, Pirelli then offered the student help writing an essay and a resume in his office. It was during that meeting the student informed police the professor raped her.

After interviewing both the student and Pirelli, detectives shared that the student shared a credible account while Pirelli changed his story several times.

“He has been placed on administrative leave with pay,” a university spokesman shared following Pirelli's arrest. “He has been asked not to come to campus without permission from the university.”

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