A Massachusetts court has filed felony charges against Braden Peters, known online as influencer Clavicular, stemming from an alleged incident on May 23, 2025, in Chatham. Peters, 20, was charged on September 8, 2026, with one count of rape, one count of drugging someone for sexual intercourse, and one misdemeanor count of procuring liquor for a minor, according to court records reviewed by multiple outlets.
An arraignment in the case is scheduled for October 14 at 8:30 a.m. in Chatham, Massachusetts. The charges were first reported by The Bulwark on September 8, 2026.
Peters has not been physically served with an arrest warrant, according to a representative, Mitchell Jackson. Jackson stated in a text message to NBC News that The Bulwark’s reporting was “exaggerating,” adding, “Braden Peters has not been physically served. As usual the Bulwark is exaggerating.” Jackson did not immediately respond to requests for further comment from other outlets.
The alleged victim, 18-year-old Aleksandra Vasilevna Mendoza—who uses the online name Alorah Ziva—filed a civil lawsuit in Florida on April 28, 2026, in Miami-Dade County. The lawsuit alleges that Peters injected her with an unapproved substance during a livestream without consent and engaged in nonconsensual sexual encounters at his family home in Cape Cod while she was intoxicated. The civil complaint includes counts of battery, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and unauthorized use of name and likeness.
Peters’ legal team has characterized the criminal charges as “bogus” and suggested they stem from Mendoza’s refusal to settle the civil lawsuit. A spokesperson for Peters stated that the team learned of the charges from a reporter and emphasized that Peters has not yet been served. Mendoza’s lawsuit was amended after initially omitting sexual assault allegations, according to reporting by The Daily Mail and CBS News.
Background: The “Looksmaxxing” Trend
Clavicular gained prominence for promoting “looksmaxxing”, a practice defined by Merriam-Webster as “the practice of taking one or more sometimes extreme or dangerous measures intended to increase one’s physical attractiveness.” Peters has been associated with controversial methods such as “bone smashing”, which involves using a hammer to break facial bones in an attempt to alter their structure. Experts have previously warned that such practices may pose health risks.
The civil lawsuit in Florida alleges that Peters arranged for Mendoza to travel to Cape Cod, provided her with vodka until she was intoxicated, and then engaged in sexual activity with her. Mendoza claims she was unaware of the contents of the injections and believed they may have contained methamphetamine. The lawsuit further alleges that Peters exploited her image for profit without consent.
Court Records and Legal Proceedings
Court records indicate that the rape and drugging charges are felonies, while the charge related to providing alcohol to a minor is a misdemeanor. No further details about the allegations have been released publicly. Peters’ attorney has not been listed in online court records as of the latest reports.
The case has drawn attention due to Peters’ large social media following and the polarizing nature of the “looksmaxxing” community. Peters has over 1 million followers across platforms, where he shares content related to his online persona and the controversial practices he promotes.
Timeline of Key Events
- May 23, 2025: Alleged incident in Chatham, Massachusetts.
- April 28, 2026: Aleksandra Vasilevna Mendoza files civil lawsuit in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
- September 8, 2026: Criminal charges filed in Massachusetts; The Bulwark reports the charges.
- October 14, 2026: Arraignment scheduled in Chatham, Massachusetts.