TX: Deputies arrest members of Oklahoma vigilante group that targets sex offenders
Three reported members of the Oklahoma Predators Prevention Group (OPP), an online vigilante group that entraps suspected sex predators, were arrested by the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office after a recent case involving a Central Texas man.
Russell Goodwin, Ryan Koch and George Liebsch were all charged with unlawful restraint-exposure to substantial risk of serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony. The sheriff’s office said two of the members have “extensive criminal histories spanning several years.”
According to the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office, OPP was founded by Goodwin and follows a trend common among social media vigilante groups that use “decoys” and “catchers” to carry out sting-like operations targeting suspected sex predators.The confrontations, often referred to as “catches,” are livestreamed on social media with the intent of exposing and humiliating the alleged sex predators. The livestreams also “generate online content aimed at building a [large audience] and monetization of [content],” the sheriff’s office said.
“The situation escalated to the point where the man lost consciousness, collapsed and struck his head,” the sheriff’s office said, “It was only at that point that OPP members notified law enforcement.” The sheriff’s office is discouraging the public from engaging in vigilante activities. Instead, it urges individuals to report suspected criminal behavior to law enforcement agencies.
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These guys by entrapment do this gainst not just those on the registry but the community at large. It may be wise for RC’s to carry some form of protection on them at ALL times (as allowed by law). Mace or pepper spray is a clear safe choice. If on paper check with your PO. Other options are stun guns, air pistols and/or a simple walking cane. Motion detector lights and camera for outside your dwelling as well. FAC may give guidance and/or counsel for your area. Otherwise check with an attorney or the local sheriff’s department.
Robert
In Florida where I live, a convicted felon cannot carry any amount of pepper spray and can be arrested for doing so.
Ex-felons in Florida are generally not allowed to possess pepper spray. According to Florida Statute 790.23, felons are prohibited from owning or having in their care, custody, possession, or control any firearm, ammunition, or electric weapon or device. This includes pepper spray, which is classified as a self-defense chemical spray.
I openly carry a knife in a sheath on my belt but it is not a weapon. I walk with a cane but it is not a weapon. I would be hesitant to carry anything that could be considered a “weapon only”. If you carry an air pistol, pepper spray or anything that has only the use of a weapon you are asking for trouble.
I would advise people to learn to use everyday items as defensive tools. I would also encourage everyone to use the most important self defense tool which is situational awareness. Vigilante groups and single vigilantes are popping up more and more often.
That being said the vigilante is the thing that I believe will end the public registry as it is the one of the main tools available for the vigilante to find people that have been convicted and forced on the registry,
That being said these particular Vigilantes are baiting people online and then attacking them. The best defense against them is to stay out of conversations that could lead to this.
I wouldn’t say these guys do it against those on the registry. In all the stories about these stupid stings, I don’t recall seeing one where a registrant was the victim of one (though the law of averages would suggest there probably are a handful). I’m guessing that most registrants are aware of these stupid stings and accordingly less likely to fall for them. But I still think it’s because registrants in general are very unlikely to commit another sex crime, contrary to popular opinion. The good that this arrest does is that it means there’s one less group of idiots adding more fodder to an already useless registry scheme.
I’m seriously considering sending anonymous tips to LE that these groups may be holding CP to effect their stings.
They don’t target “suspect child predators”. They target men who they know are seeking consensual adults for a casual sexual encounter, and those men are on the right places to find that. These cowards hiding behind the hero mask then force their own sexual fantasies about minors on those men. I say that because they then claim, “Rhos could’ve been a real minor,” which shows their mentality about minors. They clearly can’t distinguish between fantasy and reality.
They present minors as eager to meet random adult strangers online for casual sexual hookups. That’s not something real minors do. That’s what some adults do. Minors don’t have the sexual development, confidence and desire it takes to do that.
These people refuse to acknowledge that is is role play and want for everybody to believe like them – that there are limits doing this – pushing themselves aggressively on random adult strangers they find online. If they can’t distinguish between the fantasies they’ve created in their heads about this and reality, then they must be the ones who present a real risk to minors.
A second group in their area that does similar things was arrested about a week before on similar charges. That county is not tolerating these groups’ activities. More arrests like these should be made everywhere, but unfortunately too many vigilantes are left to endanger the public without consequences.
The worst part is the gullibility of the victim in these cases. Stop falling for these scams. Just hang up the phone.
Hopefully the victim sues these low-lifes for damages.
I hope he has the sense to get a lawyer to sue these three idiots for damages (civil court) for every dime they have. They have been making a ton of money and a judge should be open to not only compensatory damages but large punitive damages as well, which they cannot discharge in bankruptcy.