***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29, 2021

CITIZEN STING OPERATIONS CREATE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AND HAMPER LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS

Media Contact: Vicki Elaine Becker (574) 296-1888

Recently, Indiana has seen an increase in the number of social media ‘vigilante’ groups attempting to go after suspected online sexual predators on their own. While these groups may have the best intentions in mind, operating outside the scope of law enforcement can be extremely dangerous for both themselves and others.

Private “investigations” created through this kind of activity, where citizens pretend to be minors in order to lure and then confront suspected online predators (which they usually live stream on social media), face legal challenges and other hurdles that impact whether formal criminal charges could be filed. When citizens take matters into their own hands, it is often harmful to a successful prosecution, leading to someone, who may very well be guilty, eluding accountability for their actions.

Law enforcement officials are the only ones qualified to conduct these kinds of investigations. Having gone through extensive training, these officials know the right techniques in collecting and preserving the evidence that is necessary to prosecute these kinds of cases and ensuring that an investigation is done objectively, and professionally, respecting the Constitutional rights of suspects. Prosecuting Attorney Vicki Elaine Becker wants to encourage residents of Elkhart County not to take the law into their own hands. These citizen sting operations could lead to injury or death to a person attempting to expose a suspected predator, the person they are confronting, or innocent bystanders. Confrontations of this nature are capable of turning violent quickly. Vigilantes also open themselves up to potential lawsuits for libel and slander.

If a resident has a reason to suspect someone may be attempting to lure minors online, please pass that information along to local law enforcement who can conduct a professional investigation, and collect the necessary evidence which, if warranted, will lead to formal charges and a prosecution. Tips can be submitted by calling your local law enforcement agency, or 911 in an emergency.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”