BOSTON—A shocking scandal has erupted at Emmanuel College, where the former assistant admissions director, Jacob Henriques, 27, has pleaded guilty to despicable charges of attempting to lure underage students into sex for cash. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced that the ex-official admitted to one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and one count of cyberstalking.

Henriques’ downfall began in May when law enforcement arrested him for his illicit attempts to exploit multiple prospective or admitted students. According to prosecutors, he used his privileged access to their personal information to initiate contact, leading to brazen propositions for sexual encounters. In one particularly alarming case, he targeted a 17-year-old prospective student, offering her $400 for “some fun” just hours after giving her a tour of the campus.

The details of Henriques' grotesque behavior are disturbing. After meeting the young girl on April 25, he used the phone number from her admissions form to relentlessly text her, sending not only cash offers but also multiple pornographic videos. Despite her repeated rejections, Henriques continued to pursue her through text messages, insisting he would buy her whatever she wanted if she changed her mind.

In a chilling revelation, he allegedly accessed the victim’s profile in the Emmanuel system a staggering 47 times, indicating a premeditated and sinister stalking pattern. Just days prior to this incident, Henriques reportedly approached another minor, a 13-year-old girl from Western Massachusetts, through Instagram, asking if she was “down to have fun” and proposing to pay her that very night.

As the scandal unfolded, Emmanuel College officials expressed their outrage and sorrow in a statement. They claimed to be “saddened, angered, and shocked” by the allegations, emphasizing their commitment to student safety. However, many are now questioning the effectiveness of their oversight systems, especially considering Henriques’ access to sensitive information.

Henriques is facing a potential prison sentence ranging from 10 years to life, along with hefty fines of up to $250,000 for the sex trafficking charge and an additional five years and fines for cyberstalking. He is set to be sentenced on March 4, 2026, and with these charges looming over him, the implications of his actions will likely echo through the halls of Emmanuel College for years to come.

With a guilty plea entered, the shocking revelations of this case leave the community reeling, raising serious concerns about safety and ethics within educational institutions.