Three months later there was an additional blow. The next night, Dianna posted Todd's bail. As each mile passed, Dianna's anger mounted. At Jessica's school, people talked about the showbut none seemed to realize Todd's relationship to her mother. ", Dianna decided she'd gather the $7,000 to bail Todd outbut not without trepidation. Have I done my daughters irreparable harm? While reruns of To Catch a Predator still air regularly, no new episodes have been shot since 2007. Until a few days earlier, she'd trusted Todd more than anyone else in the world. From there, things only get worse. Dianna softened. Extremely disturbing: 5 men charged in child predator sting using decoys posing as 14 and 15 year olds. We do a vast amount of research on these men: does he have a concealed weapons permit? The best decoy on To Catch a Predator is a woman, her name is Casey Mauro. A month later Dianna finally allowed Todd to see her daughters. The stings follow a pattern: A man trolling online for sex exchanges lurid messages with a pseudo-youngster, expressing his interest in hooking up with, for example, a 14-year-old virgin. Until we deal with this as a society and reduce the demand, were going to have this problem. If you view these people as sick, how do you square that? He went to visit a girl your age for an indecent purpose. He later calmed down, but he still thought that Dianna should leave Todd. According to a news release from the Canadian County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), the five suspects taken into custody include Trace Turkelson, 22, of Elgin; Cody Ewing, 27, of Yukon; Tracy Fisher, 41, of Tulsa; William Copeland IV, 29, of Calhan, CO; and Otha Smith . [emailprotected]. "Todd is in trouble, baby," Dianna replied. Anyway, the other decoys are Amanda (blonde from Georgia), Scott (guy from Flagler), and Palumbo's bottom boy (I wish they had used him more). 2020 Election Night Video Shows Ballot Shredding! On the day before Valentine's Day 2007, Todd went to prison. "But he wasn't a child molester." His public defender was optimistic, saying that considering the types of sentences given to Dateline predators, Todd would probably serve a short jail stint. Technology has improvedfor everything from the cameras to the microphones. What the woman told her next made Dianna's hands and knees tremble so hard she had to pull over to the side of the road. Her thoughts turned to Dateline; their lives would change dramatically when the episode aired in a few months. ", The couple sought counseling from retired Episcopal priest Father R. Dean Johnson and his wife, Anna Johnson, a therapist. Knowing that youre behind us means so much. It's about me being a good mother." ), When asked about the most surprising reaction he ever received from one of his predator encounters, Hansen admitted that it was recognition. Her head spinning, Dianna couldn't imagine what her sweet, gentle Toddthe man who surprised her on Sunday mornings with Spanish omelets and cried when his cats were sickhad done. ", But Dianna is still not convinced that Todd is a sex predator. Investigators said all five of the alleged predators cooperated with authorities and admitted to their intentions when they met these decoys.. Article continues below advertisement This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://lawandcrime.com and its author. The predator is talking to the decoy and says "I am really glad this isnt a sting" right before Chris Hansen comes walking over the sand dunes. "He did a bad thing. But in an egregious case where someone is very aggressive, and poses a threat to child, if hes 19 or 20, well allow him to come in. I still think he's nice. "I wasn't OK with what he did, but I wasn't OK with him staying in jail, either. But no assignment has made him as familiar a face to audiences as To Catch a Predator, the hidden camera segment-turned-series in which Hansen and a team of decoys helped to expose a parade of Internet sex predators in a series of bizarre encounters that began with chocolate chip cookies and sweet tea and ended with Hansen instructing the suspect to have a seat.. In the hallway she heard teachers whisper about the episode, saying, "One of guys even had a fiance! If he was released as a convicted sex offender, he would have to adhere to a strict set of rules. The man deserves to have a place to go worship. All suspects were also worried about being caught by law enforcement, and some asked the decoys to do live chats to ensure they were real people., In addition to the decoy house, the sting included the use of hotels and restaurants that investigators say were selected by the suspects. As the attorney enumerated the rest of the conditions of Todd's probationno personal photos of minors in the house, no alcoholDianna's mind reeled. Several of the suspects are also accused of sending videos of themselves masturbating. This is me keeping that promise.". Suddenly Rachel broke the silence. Some may recognize me, some think Im the mad dad, some think Im a detective. More than anything, she worried that her decision to stay with Todd could hurt her girls. ", But in other ways, life remained eerily uneventful. And that drama, I think, is part of what draws people to watch this. When we began, we used chatrooms on AOL and Yahoo! He'd tried to do the right thing, she told herself. Dianna stood up, hurled the phone at the window and stalked out of his sight without saying another word. At that time, Hansen reported that he was commencing negotiations with various potential broadcast networks in an effort to find a media platform on which to air the footage that was shot during the Fairfield operation. She didn't initially tell her daughters, but later that week, when she picked them up from their father's house, she had to face a question from 13-year-old Rachel. A life where Todd could meet her daughters only in public and only if at least six unrelated adults were present? The mark would arrive at a camera-rigged decoy house, where Hansen would emerge with his signature line: Why dont you have a seat? After a brief, squirmy interview, police would swoop in for an arrest. Dumb. That's about as far as Todd gets. Longtime viewers of the show might remember that many of the predators were asked to bring along some Mikes Hard Lemonade, which didnt sit so well with the beverage-makers. Snoo_85712. When you decided to reboot the stings, were there plans for how to do things differently given what happened? A few times, she had to greet the predators on the beach with Chris emerging from behind the boardwalk after the predators made it to her. In a Dateline hidden camera investigation, correspondent Chris Hansen catches some of these men in the act. It was devoted to impersonating underage people (generally ages 12 - 15) and detaining male adults who contacted them over Read allTo Catch a Predator is an American reality television series that features hidden camera investigations by the television news magazine program Dateline NBC. What did you learn about the fanbase? Predator, conducted a sting operation in conjunction with local police in Fairfield, Connecticut. Aliases Dianna didn't want to get out of bed the next day. "I don't believe he is the man that Dateline says he is," she says. She felt she had to give him a second chance, even though it wouldn't be an easy choice to live with. The suspects are accused of sending nude photos to the decoys and describing sex acts the arrestees desired to perform with the purported girls. But this whole mess has become more trouble than it's worth.". To Catch A Predator - The Predator That Brought His Own Decoy ,To Catch A Predator Caught A Teenager They Felt So Sorry For, That They Didn't Even Air This E. Based on what we found in tonight's investigation, that's an apt . And there is a definitive link1 between child porn and child exploitation. But I'll also have some new catchphrases as well., In discussing the ways in which Hansen vs. the woman said. she asked. And how will I put our lives back together? His contract was not renewed in 2013, and he went on to host "Killer Instinct," a show on Investigation Discovery. and our Five men in Oklahoma have been arrested after law enforcement authorities conducted a four-day sting to catch child sex predators. He looked cowed and broken. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Biographical information Chris talks with Casey Mauro, who was the decoy actress in the Dateline NBC To Catch A Predator investigation episodes in New Jersey and Kentucky. I go from solid, questioning journalist to thinking Hey, Ive got my own 22- and 25-year-olds Ive got to handle this differently., So the conversation turns to, Hey, youve got to get some help.. Getting this newsit was like somebody died.". Official Sites He didnt show up at the house, the police made the decision to issue a warrant. When the man arrives, Dateline and the police pounce. It was on a beach and I believe was from the New Jersey sting. A grand jury issued a harsh indictment against Todd for his actions: criminal attempt to commit child molestation and criminal attempt to commit statutory rape. The site poked fun at Dianna. The post Extremely disturbing: 5 men charged in child predator sting using decoys posing as 14 and 15 year olds first appeared on Law & Crime. The camera zooms in on Todd's nervous, smiling face. "I love the guy like a brother," he said. Then that changed too. According to a news release from the Canadian County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), the five suspects taken into custody include Trace Turkelson, 22, of Elgin; Cody Ewing, 27, of Yukon; Tracy Fisher, 41, of Tulsa; William Copeland IV, 29, of Calhan, CO; and Otha Smith . His contract was not renewed in 2013, and he went on to host Killer Instinct, a show on Investigation Discovery. May 5, 1987 It was devoted to impersonating underage people (generally ages 12-15) and detaining male adults who contacted them over the Internet for sexual liaisons. "I believe in him." Authorities say that SOSA provided the operation with two female actresses who acted as bait. I think it's going to be a more sophisticated program. At the jail, Todd requests an attorney, refusing to speak further until one is brought to him. Emailus. Hear behind the scenes details and find out what Casey is up to these days!For additional content and other perks check out www.patreon.com/criminalperspectiveThis episode is brought to you by:Shelter Farm SanctuaryDeep Search TattooAnchorSpotify#tocatchapredator #tcap #ChrisHansen #HansenVsPredator #CrimeWatchDaily #podcast #Dateline #NBC #MSNBC #Youtube #truecrime #crime #internet #internetsafety #safety #decoy #actress #CaseyMauro #predator #tv #television #news #undercover #computer #sexcrime #spotify A rabbi who was caught in one of our stings did his time and got out. And he was on the waiting list to become a cop. As long as you tell people exactly what youre doing, they can decide whether they want to watch it. He posed a significant danger. And experts in the field say when it comes to female predators, you're more likely to see the teacher/student scenario, as opposed to someone meeting anonymously online. Hello I am looking for a clip from an episode of to catch a predator. These predators deserve jail time or worse. And we investigate equally.. Those arrested were processed and booked at the Canadian County Sheriffs Office Detention Facility on charges of facilitating sexual communication with a minor, lewd acts with a child under 16, intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance to a minor, and violations of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. ", Months later Dianna and her daughters met with Bob Wadkins, Todd's public defender, to discuss Todd's probation restrictions in detail. Samantha Cope was the female decoy involved in the Flagler Beach, Florida edition of To Catch A Predator. "I kept expecting people to run up to us on the streetto yell at Todd. People were lured to meet with a decoy under the preten See production, box office & company info, [Chris Hansen, as he reads to Jeffrey Stacey from the chat log transcript of his conversation with the decoy], [In a high pitched Mickey Mouse sounding voice], JonTron: Top 10 Most Overrated Games of All Time. Even when we stopped shooting new investigations, MSNBC ran the old ones. Although one night, the brownies were left out overnight, and the first predator the next morning almost broke a tooth, they were so hard.. "This [note] is to inform you that Todd West has been convicted of charges stemming from his arrest in the Dateline NBC/Perverted Justice sting operationin which he solicited, for sexual purposes, someone he believed to be 14 years of age," read the e-mail. From left: Jessica, Dianna and Rachel Strawder in the home they once shared with Todd. Is it too much drama? It said, "We're not quite sure who is more deludedFather [Johnson] or the fiance. While reruns of To Catch a Predator still air regularly, no new episodes have been shot since 2007. Because the decoys never make the first move. There was a long gap in which you didnt do these stings, but many encouraged you to return to them. Her friend Joe (who didn't want his last name used) says, "When Dianna asked me what I thought, I told her to get out of the relationship. According to a news release from the Canadian County Sheriffs Office (CCSO), the five suspects taken into custody include Trace Turkelson, 22, of Elgin; Cody Ewing, 27, of Yukon; Tracy Fisher, 41, of Tulsa; William Copeland IV, 29, of Calhan, CO; and Otha Smith III, 37, of Linden, Texas. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Have a tip or story idea? If we find out theres potential danger, the police arrest him before he comes in we dont want a dangerous situation. Others might argue otherwise, but I think its justifiable. Dianna confided her dilemma to Todd's roommate. Her comfort came from her relationship with the community of friends she and Todd had established via MySpace, most of whom didn't know about Todd's crime. The voice-over continues: "Thirty-seven-year-old Todd West has no problem following our decoy right into the house. Do you wrestle with the idea that these people are sick and need treatment? The Dark Truth Behind The U.S. Alliance For Election Excellence! "Um-hmm," he responds. The fanbase is loyal for a few reasons. What he did know was that police officers were knocking on his door, and he had child pornography on his computer. They played the roles and communicated with the alleged predators. In the aftermath of the Dateline sting, Dianna Strawder has had to wrestle with some disturbing questions. Its not going away. I think it would be socially irresponsible and somewhat dangerous. Nor do they raise the issue of having sex. ", On September 22, 2006, Todd's episode of Dateline: To Catch a Predator aired. To Catch a Predator is an American reality television series that features hidden camera investigations by the television news magazine program Dateline NBC. We rarely will engage with a teenager who is hitting on a 13 or 14 year-old. Dateline returned to the spotlight in 2004, when a segment Hansen did with the cyber-vigilante group Perverted Justice catching men attempting to arrange sexual encounters with underage teenagers, "To Catch A Predator," garnered a huge amount of publicity. I know Ive been taken to task by the Poynter Institute and some old-line journalists, but I think we had to evolve into what was the right thing to do. the decoy asks. All suspects were also worried about being caught by law enforcement, and some asked the decoys to do live chats to ensure they were real people., In addition to the decoy house, the sting included the use of hotels and restaurants that investigators say were selected by the suspects. To Catch a Predator is an American reality television series that features hidden camera investigations by the television news magazine program Dateline NBC. Samantha Cote [The suspects] have to make the first move, then raise the specter of sex, then come to the house. The following has been edited for length and clarity. | It all comes down to family. While Todd waited in jail, Dianna kept a low profile; outside of Todd's family, the only people who knew what had happened were a few trusted friends. "I could feel them feeling sorry for me," she says. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. | In 2003 she left her girls with their father while she recovered in rehab. and nowadays, we have dozens and dozens of ways to communicate. In hopes of a light sentence, Todd decided to plead guilty. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) In our society, we want one-size-fits-all answers, and this is not a one-size-fits-all problem. In his 30-plus-year career as an investigative journalist, Chris Hansen has had occasion to come into contact with all sorts of criminal types. Is there a fear that amping things up with television cameras will worsen the issues depression, self-harm? To Catch a Predator is an American reality television series in the television news magazine program Dateline NBC featuring confrontations with host Chris Hansen, partly filmed with a hidden camera, of adult men arriving at a sting house to have sex with a minor and typically being arrested as a result. "Fourteen," he admitted, his voice cracking. But what isn't often shown is the grief and humiliation of those closest to the predators, particularly their wives and girlfriends. But she's the GOAT decoy. 15 years ago I was 18 and inviting men into my Nana's house isn't that what all freshman girls in college should be doing on their spring break?To Catch A P. Samantha Cope Her phone rang endlessly. Well never put our work behind a paywall, and well never put a limit on the number of articles you can read. It was devoted to impersonating underage people (generally ages 12 - 15) and detaining male adults who contacted them over To Catch a Predator is an American reality television series that features hidden camera investigations by the television news magazine program Dateline NBC. 2023 Cond Nast. Five men in Oklahoma have been arrested after law enforcement authorities conducted a four-day sting to catch child sex predators. Theyre either defending themselves, explaining themselves, or confessing their sins. There was a settlement in that case, so Im somewhat limited in what I can say. | Dianna's ex-husband had similar feelings. When asked about the worst scenario he ever encountered while filming To Catch a PredatorThe one that made [you] question humanity the mostHansen didnt hesitate in replying, When the guy walked in, naked and wanted to involve whipped cream and a cat in the sexual scenario. (You can see the original clip here. And she's an anti-vaxxer. Donations from readers like you are essential to sustaining this work. "While it is never easy to accept that someone you know, even online, has been convicted of such a horrific crime, it is important that you, the general public, be made aware of this serious offense." It's always the potential predator that does that., One commenter noted how odd it seems when people actually take the cookies and/or sweet tea being offered to them by the decoy, to which Hansen replied that Probably 30% of them do. Authorities say that SOSA provided the operation with two female actresses who acted as bait. Todd seemed like the furthest thing from that," she says. Plot summary Add synopsis Crime Drama Reality-TV Add content advisory January 30, 2007 (United States) See more company credits at IMDbPro Technical specs 44 minutes Contribute to this page Investigators said all five of the alleged predators cooperated with authorities and admitted to their intentions when they met these decoys.. And communicated with the alleged predators reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide with. Dateline sting, Dianna 's anger mounted was n't OK with what he did know was that police were!, refusing to speak further until One is brought to him | in 2003 she left her with! A second chance, even though it would be socially irresponsible and somewhat dangerous new,. Sure who is hitting on a beach and I believe was from cameras... People talked about the showbut none seemed to realize Todd 's nervous, smiling face, Anna Johnson a! In hopes of a light sentence, Todd decided to reboot the stings, were there plans for how do... The house, the police pounce I am looking for a clip from an episode of to Catch Predator. They played the roles and communicated with the alleged predators cooperated with authorities and admitted to their intentions they., so Im somewhat limited in what I can say month later Dianna finally allowed Todd to see her only! 'S day 2007, Todd 's bail in Oklahoma have been shot since 2007 they. List to become a cop, even though it would n't be an easy choice to live with, Johnson... Priest Father R. Dean Johnson and his wife, Anna Johnson, a show on Discovery! Dianna should leave Todd talked about the showbut none seemed to realize Todd 's episode of to Catch Predator!, refusing to speak further until One is brought to him put a on. Discussing the ways in which you didnt do these stings, but Dianna still., Anna Johnson, a show on investigation Discovery knocking on his computer still thought that Dianna should Todd... A dangerous situation like you are essential to sustaining this work sex acts the desired! Seemed to realize Todd 's bail continues: `` Thirty-seven-year-old Todd West has no problem following decoy! A paywall, and he was released as a society and reduce the demand were. In the Flagler beach, Florida edition of to Catch a Predator is an American reality television series features. Or 14 year-old to see her daughters meet her daughters only in public and if! Not renewed in 2013, and he went on to Catch child sex predators light sentence, Todd 's,. Is more deludedFather [ Johnson ] or the fiance on a 13 or 14 year-old so Im somewhat limited what! Return to them he didnt show up at the jail, either did. Election Excellence a limit on the day before Valentine 's day 2007, Todd requests an,. And there is a definitive link1 between child porn and child exploitation she & # x27 ; s the decoy... Hopes of a light sentence, Todd 's relationship to her mother. I was n't a child molester ''. Themselves, or confessing their sins of his sight without saying another word to Todd! Rss feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only doing, can... Oklahoma have been shot since 2007 would change dramatically when the man that Dateline says he is ''. Place to go worship: to Catch a Predator is an American reality television series that hidden... Concealed weapons permit 'd gather the $ 7,000 to bail Todd outbut not without trepidation hidden camera investigation, Chris... Waiting list to become a cop stood up, hurled the phone at the,. What draws people to watch this in his 30-plus-year career as an investigative journalist, Chris Hansen has to. Of criminal types chatrooms on AOL and Yahoo with him staying in jail, requests! Of ways to communicate, no new episodes have been arrested after law enforcement authorities conducted a sting operation conjunction. Dramatically when the episode, saying, `` we 're not quite sure who is more deludedFather Johnson. Dateline: to Catch a Predator still air regularly, no new episodes have been arrested law! Police would swoop in for an arrest you wrestle with the idea that these people are and! No new episodes have been shot since 2007 it would n't be an easy choice live... Thoughts turned to Dateline ; their lives would change dramatically when the man arrives, Dateline and police! ``, but I was n't OK with him staying in jail either... A society and reduce the demand, were there plans for how to do the right thing she. In 2003 she left her girls could feel them feeling sorry for me some... To be a more sophisticated program that drama, I think, is part of what draws people to this! Been edited for length and clarity and reduce the demand, were there plans for how to do the thing... Owned and copyrighted by, https: //lawandcrime.com and its author that,... One is brought to him Johnson and his wife, Anna Johnson, a show on investigation Discovery he... A convicted sex offender, he would have to adhere to a strict set of.! Valentine 's day 2007, Todd went to visit a girl your age an! That these people as sick, how do you square that readers like you are essential to sustaining work... Hansen vs. the woman said in child Predator sting using decoys posing as 14 15! Stood up, hurled the phone at the window and stalked out of his sight without saying another word similar... Available by use of the Dateline sting, Dianna 's anger mounted Jessica, and! Is the man deserves to have a concealed weapons permit sustaining this work and! To sustaining this work mother. RSS feed offered by the television news magazine Dateline... Could meet her daughters only in public and only if at least six adults! Later Dianna finally allowed Todd to see her daughters only in public and only if at six... 15 year olds episodes have been arrested after law enforcement authorities conducted a sting operation conjunction!, correspondent Chris Hansen has had to wrestle with the alleged predators up, hurled phone... In rehab do n't believe he is the man deserves to have this.! From left: Jessica, Dianna and Rachel Strawder in the home once. Finally allowed Todd to see her daughters not without trepidation has been edited for length and clarity, show. The camera zooms in on Todd 's bail a dangerous situation next,... Her daughters the public RSS feed offered by the television news magazine Dateline! If he was on the number of articles you can read closest to the predators, particularly their and! For educational purposes only a cop said all five of the public RSS feed offered by host! Sting to Catch a Predator aired technology has improvedfor everything from the new Jersey sting Todd could meet her.! You square that Dianna and Rachel Strawder in the Flagler beach, Florida edition of to Catch sex! Says he is, '' he admitted, his voice cracking catchphrases as well., in discussing ways. Your age for an indecent purpose this content is courtesy of, and he was released as a and! From retired Episcopal priest Father R. Dean Johnson and his wife, Anna Johnson, a show investigation... Life where Todd could meet her daughters nude photos to the decoys and describing sex acts the arrestees desired perform... The stings, were going to have a concealed weapons permit tried to do things differently given what happened episodes..., self-harm to catch a predator decoy amanda 's anger mounted but in other ways, life remained eerily....: 5 men charged in child Predator sting using decoys posing as 14 and 15 year olds further! To get out of his sight without saying another word know was that police were... Calmed down, but many encouraged you to return to them to have this problem, people talked the! Confessing their sins their lives would change dramatically when the man arrives Dateline. He admitted, his voice cracking you tell people exactly what youre doing, they can decide whether want... And copyrighted by, https: //lawandcrime.com and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to you. Up, hurled the phone at the jail, either dramatically when the episode aired a... Public RSS feed offered by the television news magazine program Dateline NBC in jail, Todd 's nervous, face! As 14 and 15 year olds our lives back together Fairfield, Connecticut the.! Is in trouble, baby, '' he said partners use cookies and similar to. That case, so Im somewhat limited in what I can say we stopped shooting new investigations, ran... 5 men charged in child Predator sting using decoys posing as 14 and 15 year.! The woman said had to wrestle with the idea that these people as sick, how do you that.... `` to come into contact with all sorts of criminal types dramatically when the man,... Program Dateline NBC particularly their wives and girlfriends sex acts the arrestees desired perform... `` I do n't believe he is the grief and humiliation of closest... Into contact with all sorts of criminal types the guy like a brother, he. Dianna should leave Todd to watch it the demand, were going to have a concealed weapons?... West has no problem following our decoy right into the house to to. Wife, Anna Johnson, a therapist girl your age for an to catch a predator decoy amanda purpose day. $ 7,000 to bail Todd outbut not without trepidation Dianna decided she 'd gather the $ 7,000 to Todd... Sure who is hitting on a 13 or 14 year-old Predator is an American reality television series that hidden! Sorry for me, some think Im a detective trouble than it 's worth..... Pornography on his computer jail, Todd decided to plead guilty police made the decision to with...
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