WJAC: Local organization exposing child predators online part of growing 'hunting' groups trend

[China]

Local organization exposing child predators online part of growing 'hunting' groups trend

 

Over the past several weeks, we’ve been telling you about the arrests of would-be child sexual predators who, it turns out, were messaging decoys from a local amateur group hunting online predators.

 

"814 Pred Hunters" tell us that in less than three months, their work has led to the arrest of two dozen people in our area and beyond. They’re part of a growing community of citizen predator hunters.

But is what they’re doing legal?

 

They’re similar to what viewers used to watch on Dateline NBC’s “To Catch a Predator” series, which worked undercover to expose child sexual predators across America in the early to mid-2000s

But now, with groups like 814 Pred Hunters, it’s gone local.

 

Since September, 814 Pred Hunters have been on the prowl, leading to the arrest they say of 24 men. All of whom the group said had sexually explicit conversations with someone they thought was underage.

 

Groups like 814 Pred Hunters have popped up all over the country, showing amateurs hunting and confronting these would-be child sexual predators. While viewers are enamored with the chase and the catch, what do the eyes of the law have to say about it all?

 

Dateline’s “To Catch a Predator” series ran into issues with some prosecutors saying they couldn’t defend pursue the cases given the sting arrangement. It ended in 2008 after a Texas assistant district attorney died by suicide as police and an NBC camera crew entered his home to confront him.

 

Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers, who is prosecuting several of the Pred 814 cases, said the topic is one discussed by district attorneys across Pennsylvania.

 

“It's a concern for myself, for law enforcement, and for other district attorneys on these types of groups,” Sayers said. “There is a value that the groups are providing to society, but it has to be within the confines of the law.”

 

Sayers said the group’s actions have raised questions with defense attorneys.

 

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Watching the video I'm wondering if the camo outfits help them from being seen by the predators?