Comments on: Jacksonville PD speaking out against “Predator Poaching”

By: Elphaba

Elphaba — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 20:03:33 +0000

This whole situation is a mess. A current registrant was caught by one of these “vigilantes” with child sexual abuse material on his phone and JSO didnt take it. The video was released and the public lost their minds, so JSO back peddled and took his phone(while stating they always had his phone, but who really knows) They also arrested him for registry violations (not sure which ones either, they didnt say) But the damage has already been done. The “vigilantes ” look like heroes, JSO looks foolish, and this idiot registrant just made it that much harder on everyone else. Their well intended message has fallen on deaf ears.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:53:12 +0000

In reply to TS.

Nope!

I was blackmailed once and I went to the Tallahassee Police and the Leon county sheriffs office. BOTH officers on duty found it amusing and made excuses as to why they couldn’t do anything. They oth said that the information was public and that already public information was what was threatened to be shared. They COMPLETELY kept skipping over the fact that I was being extorted for money. Even when I kept insisting that blackmail was illegal, they would tell me, with a little smirk on their face, that sharing public information isn’t illegal. They would never acknowledge the extortion part. I’d say extortion is illegal. The reply was that sharing public information isn’t.

It isn’t about the sharing!

By: TS

TS — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 16:06:51 +0000

In reply to Chuck T. But will they be prosecuted for doing so? That is the question.

By: R

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:26:15 +0000

I’d call Jacksonville PD out for hypocrisy on this one. “Do as I say not as I do. “

By: No end

No end — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:23:09 +0000

Here’s a solution, abolish the registry. Oh wait, stupid me.

By: Chuck T

Chuck T — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:12:30 +0000

The article points out why vigilante stings are dangerous, but it actually leaves out something really important: in Florida, it’s not just risky — it’s against the law.

Under Florida Statute § 775.21(10)(d), it’s illegal to misuse sex offender registry information. That includes publishing false details, altering or distorting registry data, or using it for harassment or extortion.

So in Florida, vigilante “sting” groups and people who circulate misleading registry info aren’t just playing with fire socially — they’re stepping into criminal territory. Florida’s law makes it clear.