In 2014, WTSP, Chanel 10 Tampa Bay News, investigated law enforcement procedures in the Bay Area which provided insight into how law enforcement conducted controversial sex “predator” stings. They found that individuals were being improperly entrapped by sting operations using a bait-and-switch tactic. 10 Investigates detailed the incredible man-hours that were dedicated to the sting operations, the ways some officers violated the rules to boost arrest totals, and even how agencies took valuable property from individuals accused in the stings.
Is Officer Misconduct Boosting Arrest Totals?
10 Investigates exposed that the men, who were being arrested and publicly shamed by made-for-TV press conferences, were not actually looking for children online. Instead, they were looking for other adults when detectives groomed and convince them to break the law. The investigation detailed a pattern of officer misconduct in an effort to boost arrest totals.
Are Exaggerated Statements Used to Pile on Felony Charges?
10 Investigates was able to determine a pattern of exaggerations on arrest reports by law enforcement officers involved in the sting operations. Some officers claimed men were looking for children online when there was never any evidence to support the statement. But officers would use the claims to pile on additional felony charges, which did not just serve to publicly shame the accused men but also allowed law enforcement to seize their property. Even when some of the men were exonerated, the allegations burdened them socially and financially for the rest of their lives.
Are Sex Stings Operations a Rich Source of Income for Law Enforcement Agencies?
In addition to federal grant dollars used to run the stings, 10 Investigates found law enforcement agencies frequently took the vehicles from men arrested and kept them as their own – even when charges against the men were dropped. Sex stings have become an especially rich source for seizures since almost every man arrested is accused of traveling to seduce a child even though no real children are ever involved in the stings. However, the accusations are felonies, meaning law enforcement can seize a suspect’s vehicle, making it extremely difficult for them to ever get them back without paying thousands of dollars – or more – in cash to the arresting agency.
Are Men Seeking Adults Being Accused of Looking for Underage Teens?
Most of the cases examined by 10 Investigates involved men who weren’t necessarily looking for underage teens, but either posted – or responded to – ads seeking adults. Sometimes, the officers would act as an interested adult with a teenage “sister” who was also interested. Even though many of the men had no interest in the underage decoys, if they traveled to meet the adult, they were arrested as “sexual predators” and charged with “traveling to meet a minor.”
Is Law Enforcement Spending a Huge Amount of Tax Payer Money on a Problem That Doesn’t Actually Exist?
10 Investigates reported how law enforcement agencies were spending tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of man-hours on each sting operation. Yet the majority of the men arrested were either teenagers or in their early 20s and not considered high risks to children. Documents – notes obtained from prosecutors trying to establish probable cause in court – further bolstered 10 News’ initial findings that the stings offered a solution to a supposed widespread problem that didn’t actually exist in Central Florida.
Why Should I Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney?
If you or a loved one have been arrested in a sting operation it is critical that you get help from an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. The process is complex and requires someone with experience and knowledge concerning this very serious charge. An experienced criminal defense lawyer may be able to get the case dismissed or avoid a lengthy prison term.
