Craigslist "Sex Slave" Suspect Claims Consensual S&M Relationship

The Brooklyn man accused of keeping a woman as a "sex slave" in his apartment appeared in court yesterday—and his lawyer claims their relationship was actually a consensual, "voluntary, mutually fulfilling" S&M relationship. John Hopkins, 45, who is facing rape, assault, and unlawful imprisonment charges, apparently told a grand jury that he had been corresponding with the 27-year-old Wisconsin woman for a year.

The incident was first reported earlier this week, when a 27-year-old Wisconsin woman was found by police in a Greenpoint apartment where handcuffs, a ball gag, and a whip were also seen. The woman told cops that she met Hopkins through Craigslist; Hopkins allegedly offered her a free room in exchange for cooking and cleaning, and he also paid for her to fly to JFK Airport. But when she arrived on February 4, the Post reported, "Hopkins allegedly told the woman that she was to be his slave. He then allegedly blindfolded and gagged her, handcuffed her to a radiator, and began beating and raping her."

The woman did admit she was allowed to leave the apartment for her job at a Manhattan restaurant during her imprisonment, but on February 12, she called her mother, saying she would kill herself because she didn't want to be locked up. Her mother called the police, who found the woman naked and trembling in bed.

Hopkins' attorney Andrew Stoll said the pair did not meet on Craiglist and, "All of the acts in question were consensual acts between two adults who freely agreed to every aspect of their relationship." He showed emails the woman allegedly sent to Hopkins, including one from during the alleged imprisonment, "i yearn to serve my Master better. can i cook for you tomarrow? i love you so much." Stoll said, “These accusations only arose when my client called the complainant’s mother, to tell her that her daughter needed some emotional help, and should probably go back home.”

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By Jen Chung in News on February 19, 2011 11:58 AM

Comments [rss]

Paul Cavanaugh

"The woman did admit she was allowed to leave the apartment for her job at a Manhattan restaurant during her imprisonment"

Anyone who thinks the "imprisonment" was against her will after reading the above sentence is not qualified to render an opinion. I mean for god sake people, why do women have the right to vote if they can be so completely manipulated?

Stiff01

Ok, First off . I can't say that she was immature due to her age, Retarded, Drugged up, or drug addict . No she was what 26, when this happened, She corresponding with this guy for a while prior to meeting and moving in with him . So what's left to say ? She was stupid, and unfortunately just what she deserved ! Yes I understand she may have been brought up with "Mid western " Values , But Come on How stupid do you have to be to know not to do this ? Me and my girlfriends knew not to go home with , (get in a car with, Or be taken anywhere without knowing how to get back home on our own ) a guy we didn't know for this very reason . People change when they feel they have you in a compromised position .

JeRsEy JiM

Why cant I meet woman like this???

schmeep

If there's reasonable emailing suggesting a mutually agreed upon BDSM relationship, then this will be tossed quickly. I'm pretty much on the fence with this, with the exception of hating the media for calling this one before the facts come out.

S.D.

SMTP Email can easily be faked.

'His lawyer claims their relationship was actually a consensual, "voluntary, mutually fulfilling" S&M relationship'?
Really. Was the reported 'rectal hemorrhaging and bruising' the mutually fulfilling part??

Unkle_Bob

The "From" header is easily faked. The underlying email headers, not so much. Also, it's a hella lot harder to fake messages in someone else's email account (her email account will likely be subpoenaed).

angry_pickle

As her master, couldn't he tell her to write it or else she will get more punishment?

mistermarkdavis

I'm invoking BS

random transplant

"I'm not guilty she wanted it"

vs:

The defendant called her mother for help and was found by police curled into the fetal position on the floor.

You'd have to be a prude to think consensual kinky sex changes the facts.

Calling mommy for help is more or less a universal safe word.

splicernyc

It happens that the fantasy is often more attractive than the reality of a BDSM relationship. I don't have enough information to know what really transpired but I now have enough questions now to rise to the reasonable doubt level.