NBC - To Catch a Predator
- Thread starter ryansride2017
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Not the first criminal to take this route.
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I'm normally not a fan of entrapment type law enforcement. It's providing a state sponsored invitation to commit crime.
..but, if you are to engage in such activities, I'd say that this is a favorable crime to target.
I do not, OTOH, like the capitalization by Dateline. I truly feel that they could care less about predators and their victims. If it was something else that they could get good ratings with ..they would be doing that instead. It's just a "slam dunk" for them in terms of viewership ..and they milk it for everything it's worth.
So, we must realize that many "good deeds" are done for all the wrong reasons. These stings will catch these predators without all the exploitation of our need for "dirty laundry".
I guess it's better than public hangings to satisfy our hunger for our pound of flesh. We do so enjoy the kicking as the line snaps tight.
..but, if you are to engage in such activities, I'd say that this is a favorable crime to target.
I do not, OTOH, like the capitalization by Dateline. I truly feel that they could care less about predators and their victims. If it was something else that they could get good ratings with ..they would be doing that instead. It's just a "slam dunk" for them in terms of viewership ..and they milk it for everything it's worth.
So, we must realize that many "good deeds" are done for all the wrong reasons. These stings will catch these predators without all the exploitation of our need for "dirty laundry".
I guess it's better than public hangings to satisfy our hunger for our pound of flesh. We do so enjoy the kicking as the line snaps tight.
Was there *really* a 13 year old kid at the other end of the computer?
No, it was someone at this "Perverted Justice" organization posing as a 13-year-old boy and conducting a private sting. Once the "meeting" is set, this organization then contacts law enforcement.
I think there are serious constitutional issues at play here when a private organization like this starts doing police work.
I think there are serious constitutional issues at play with anyone enticing someone else to commit a crime for the sole purpose of arresting them.
I can't stand child molestors but on the other hand I don't like entrapment. I saw a video on TV where undercover women police officers were walking across the street to men and trying to get the men to make indecent proposals. That is entrapment. I also saw a video on TV where police officers were real happy that they had napped an elderly (something like 75 years old) man who was trying to setup something with a woman that he thought was a woman of the wrong kind of employment. Meanwhile I wonder what sort of crimes were taking place in the nearby city that they were missing.
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All this is about entertainment and viewing figures and to a lesser degree about exposing some dirtbags in the process.
One has to draw a line between perverted thoughts and actual child molestation. If there is no child involved, then it is only thought. Are thoughts and words now crimes?
I'd be more afraid of the person who caused another man to commit suicide.
I'd be more afraid of the person who caused another man to commit suicide.
If the cops had come to the door to return a lost wallet, should the person who found the wallet be held liable for the suicide?
The decision to blow his brains out was personal, the guy was a 20yr LEO and prosecutor. I'm sure he knew more than anyone the difference between thoughts, words, and crimes. Being a good ole boy (Texas LEO), he could have made all the charges go away. He made a choice, and I bet his own conscience pulled the trigger.
The decision to blow his brains out was personal, the guy was a 20yr LEO and prosecutor. I'm sure he knew more than anyone the difference between thoughts, words, and crimes. Being a good ole boy (Texas LEO), he could have made all the charges go away. He made a choice, and I bet his own conscience pulled the trigger.
What are the intentions of an adult male who drives three hours to meet an underaged girl or boy just to talk ??
There was a TV weatherman here in south FL that was arrested for the same thing.
http://www.local10.com/news/3851167/detail.html
There was a TV weatherman here in south FL that was arrested for the same thing.
http://www.local10.com/news/3851167/detail.html
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Surely watching his whole life being destroyed by his poor choices, especially given his position, made him take the easy way out.
What's going to be the curious reaction, in my mind, is how some will feel ripped off of their "hanging". He saved the state all kinds of money doing this. No trial ...no prison time. Yet some like prosecutor is angered that he didn't get the opportunity to grandstand on this event.
He also saved his holdings, whatever they may be, for his family. No trial ..heck, not even an arrest. No fines ..no court costs. It would be hard for a fictitious character to sue for "mental cruelty" for a non-victim. If he had lived, his family would be wiped out and they would pay for his crime ..which they are anyway in terms of sharing the shame.
What's going to be the curious reaction, in my mind, is how some will feel ripped off of their "hanging". He saved the state all kinds of money doing this. No trial ...no prison time. Yet some like prosecutor is angered that he didn't get the opportunity to grandstand on this event.
He also saved his holdings, whatever they may be, for his family. No trial ..heck, not even an arrest. No fines ..no court costs. It would be hard for a fictitious character to sue for "mental cruelty" for a non-victim. If he had lived, his family would be wiped out and they would pay for his crime ..which they are anyway in terms of sharing the shame.
There was a famous musician who has left the country, who apparently was a pedophile, but never quite crossed that line to carry out his thoughts.
We'll never know with this guy, if he had actually done the deeds, in the past. But given his decision to end it all, maybe he had.
We'll never know with this guy, if he had actually done the deeds, in the past. But given his decision to end it all, maybe he had.
"A person is 'entrapped' when he is induced or persuaded by law enforcement officers or their agents to commit a crime that he had no previous intent to commit; and the law as a matter of policy forbids conviction in such a case."
"However, there is no entrapment where a person is ready and willing to break the law and the Government agents merely provide what appears to be a favorable opportunity for the person to commit the crime."
How is this show entrapment? If you're dumber than your own [censored] as to talk to underage kids online about sex, let alone drive 3 hours to visit them in person, you got what's comin to ya.
"However, there is no entrapment where a person is ready and willing to break the law and the Government agents merely provide what appears to be a favorable opportunity for the person to commit the crime."
How is this show entrapment? If you're dumber than your own [censored] as to talk to underage kids online about sex, let alone drive 3 hours to visit them in person, you got what's comin to ya.
And this is just "thoughts" how? Sorry, when you drive to meet them in person, it majorly crosses the line.
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I tend to agree, Drew. You've got to understand that you don't know what dialog went on between the fake kid and the alleged predator. Some pervert who may have never gone that far may have surely been enticed by an adult attempting to snag another pervert.
There are people with all kinds of weaknesses. Being a kid seduced by an adult is a one thing (that being a crime). Seducing a pervert as an adult acting as a minor can easily be another. Now I don't have any sympathy for those who get snagged/stung, but you should be critical of what techniques are used to inspire these criminal acts.
That is, for all the "abnormality" involved here ..the seduction and exploitation can get blurred.
We have the L&O version in our heads..showing us a lonely helpless minor seeking friendship and being exploited. What we (probably) don't see is someone methodically setting up someone to do exactly what they hope they'll do for the satisfaction of "the kill". There are people who actually cheer when this happens. They're happy when this stuff occurs. There is no "happy" or "cheerful" outcome here. This is serious business and personal zeal has no place in it, imo. No one should take joy in this type of activity. It should be a serious commitment. Crusaders always find their demons. If they can't find them easily, they'll work to create them. Their hunger for the kill is never satisfied. Very (potentially) dangerous empowerment for non-professionals.
People with these "compulsions" don't just throw it right up in high gear. Let's say you have a problem with pornography. You don't go from swearing off of the stuff to viewing it full time again. You first convince yourself that you're cured and in full control of things. You then say that you're strong enough to drive by the shop and not look ...next look but not stop ...stop but not get out ...get out but not go in ....go in but not look ...look but not buy ..buy but not view ..basically to the point where the difference between full blown engagement and the current level is a very small step to take ..making it easy.
Again, if a LEA is going to engage in stings, this is something that I feel is a favorable problem to attack in that manner. Now with private zealous organizations doing the bating? That's another story.
One thing I would like some feedback on ..because I don't really know how to view it myself ..is when you find a former molested child ..turned adult ..who, in turn, ends up being a child molester ..when do you switch your view of them from victim to criminal? Many can surely say "with the act" ..and I agree ..but where were you (we-me included) before the act occurred knowing that this was a highly probable outcome??
I've no problem with this creep offing himself. Obviously had a reason.
Private companies setting up stings, I'm dead against.
As to these types of stings, it's a wierd world.
Police stage stings in the red light districts all the time. They engage pretty women (some of them cops) to dress the part, work the part in red light areas. Someone stops and asks how much, and they get charged.
On the other hand, they changed the rules recently that it's now illegal for me to leave my car unlocked, as it's an invitation for a person to commit a crime. Fines are quite hefty (more than the cost of replacing broken windows/door locks)
So why is it illegal for me to invite criminal activity by leaving my car unlocked, but legitimate to carry out prostitution stings ?
Private companies setting up stings, I'm dead against.
As to these types of stings, it's a wierd world.
Police stage stings in the red light districts all the time. They engage pretty women (some of them cops) to dress the part, work the part in red light areas. Someone stops and asks how much, and they get charged.
On the other hand, they changed the rules recently that it's now illegal for me to leave my car unlocked, as it's an invitation for a person to commit a crime. Fines are quite hefty (more than the cost of replacing broken windows/door locks)
So why is it illegal for me to invite criminal activity by leaving my car unlocked, but legitimate to carry out prostitution stings ?
Some animals are more equal than others.
It seems to me like the biggest charge that would stick is conspiracy. Would most likely be a slap on the wrist.
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