TikTok influencer Benjamin Gleason, who has built a following of over a million users with his mix of performance content and personal posts, was arrested in New York on March 20 in connection with multiple felony sexual assault allegations.
Multiple charges
Gleason has been charged with two counts of rape, along with several other serious offences. These include criminal sexual act in the first degree by forcible compulsion, sexual abuse in the first degree, aggravated sexual abuse in the second degree, and predatory sexual assault involving more than one person. He is also accused of engaging in a sexual act with a person deemed incapable of consent. While the charges indicate a potentially complex case, authorities have not publicly disclosed detailed information about the alleged incidents or the number of complainants involved. Recent posts resurface after arrest
In the weeks leading up to his arrest, Gleason had been active on social media, sharing updates about his personal life. Earlier this month, he launched a crowdfunding campaign seeking financial assistance for dental procedures, saying that years of substance abuse had caused significant damage to his teeth. In the post, he said he had been sober for two years and spoke about the impact on his confidence, including difficulty smiling and appearing on camera. Social media presence and next steps
Gleason, a New York native, has approximately 1.1 million followers on TikTok and a smaller but engaged following on Instagram, where he posted a mix of music clips, lip-sync videos and candid commentary. His arrest has drawn attention online given his visibility as a creator. Authorities have not released further official statements so far. The case is expected to move through the judicial process, and the allegations remain unproven in court at this stage.