UC San Diego Prof. Caught In Child Predator Sting

India-West News Desk

SAN DIEGO, CA – An associate professor at the University of California San Diego is under police investigation following a viral video that captured a vigilante sting operation. The video, published by a group called “People v Preds,” shows Nisarg Shah being confronted for attempting to meet someone he believed to be a 14-year-old boy for sexual activity.

During the confrontation at a San Diego grocery store August 2, an activist named Tim Johnson accused Shah of having explicit conversations on the dating app Grindr. Shah, a scholar specializing in immunoengineering and nanoscale materials, admitted his actions were “abhorrent” and expressed deep regret in the video, stating, “I feel horrible, the worst I’ve ever felt” and adding, “I need to maybe get help or something.”

People v. Preds CATCH 539

NISARG JAYDEEP SHAH

SAN DIEGO, CA

HE CAME TO MEET WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A 14 YEAR OLD BOY FOR ADULT PURPOSES… pic.twitter.com/Wb8fh5Gmdq

— People v. Preds (@peoplevpreds) August 3, 2025

police responded to the scene but did not make an immediate arrest. According to SDPD an arrest was not permitted under the circumstances at that time. Shah’s phone was confiscated as evidence and handed over to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

While the investigation is active, no charges have been filed yet. In a statement to SanDiegoVille, Shah denied the allegations, calling them “wrongful” and referring all further questions to his attorney.

In response to the incident, the University of California San Diego issued a statement pledging full cooperation with law enforcement. The university reaffirmed its commitment to campus safety and its zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct. It also provided resources for members of the community to report harassment or violence.