Braden Peters, known online as Clavicular, appeared in Orleans District Court, Massachusetts, on Thursday to plead not guilty to rape and related charges. The 20-year-old social media influencer, who promotes “looksmaxing” — the practice of enhancing one’s appearance — faces serious allegations stemming from an incident in May 2025.
Peters was charged in September with assaulting a 17-year-old girl at a family-owned home on Cape Cod. According to police reports, Peters served alcohol to the minor during a livestream at the residence and engaged in sexual activity with her multiple times after the broadcast ended. Law enforcement concluded that the girl was likely too intoxicated to consent to sexual intercourse. The charges include one count of rape, one count of drugging to facilitate sexual intercourse, and a misdemeanor count of providing alcohol to a minor. If convicted on all counts, Peters could face penalties including a potential life sentence.
At the arraignment, held on Thursday, the judge set bail at $10,000, which Peters posted immediately after the hearing. As part of bail conditions, he must surrender his passport, avoid contact with the plaintiff, and refrain from posting about her online. Peters, who traveled from California for the court appearance, made a brief statement acknowledging the legal consequences associated with new offenses but declined to answer reporters afterward.
Peters’s attorney, David Meier, filed a motion seeking dismissal of the criminal charges, arguing that the police evidence does not establish probable cause that the sexual encounters were nonconsensual. The defense also contends that the woman’s legal claims began after Peters stopped promoting her social media platform, which allegedly led to a loss of income.
The accuser, who turned 18 in the meantime, has also initiated a civil lawsuit against Peters in Miami. Filed in April, the lawsuit includes claims related to battery, fraud, and emotional distress, and initially contained sexual assault allegations. However, an amended version submitted in early October removed the sexual assault charges, reportedly to avoid conflicting with the ongoing criminal trial. Her legal team stated the decision was made so as not to interfere with the Massachusetts criminal proceedings.
The civil complaint describes how Peters invited the plaintiff for an Uber ride to his family home, an opportunity she accepted believing it would increase her social media visibility. The lawsuit alleges Peters’s family members, including his mother and grandmother, were present during the incident. It further claims he instructed the plaintiff to lie about consuming alcohol during the livestream and accused him of administering an unauthorized injection of Aqualyx, a fat-dissolving substance.
Peters addressed the accusations on social media shortly after charges were filed, suggesting that the allegations were motivated by financial gain. In a post on the platform X, he stated that attempts to extort money are common when individuals succeed, calling such behavior “greed.”
The influencer’s online presence revolves around evaluating others’ appearances while sharing his own experiences with substances like steroids and testosterone to enhance his looks. His followers principally consist of young men seeking guidance on improving their physical attractiveness. The criminal and civil cases have thrust Peters into the spotlight amid growing scrutiny of his activities and influence.