In our society, we want one-size-fits-all answers, and this is not a one-size-fits-all problem. This led to a whole series of Dateline "To Catch A Predator" specials and a spin-off, "To Catch A Predator: The Raw Tapes", which shows . All movies, books and CDs with references to children were banned. The roommate had commented, "I can't believe the freaking idiots who do this kind of thing." Viewers have the satisfaction of seeing these menwho have included public officials, schoolteachers and a rabbihauled away, sometimes in handcuffs. But she has a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old. Emailus. "I loved Todd, but I wasn't sure about my decision," she says. I dont think so. Have you come to have views on this? And sometimes they freak out. Chris Hansen himself even said it, he said that his best decoy was Casey Mauro. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. Technology has improvedfor everything from the cameras to the microphones. Soon after they walked into the restaurant, Wadkins said, "You have children. Todd seemed like the furthest thing from that," she says. Children spend hours chatting online with their friends, and sometimes with strangers. Place of birth If he was released as a convicted sex offender, he would have to adhere to a strict set of rules. Hello I am looking for a clip from an episode of to catch a predator. They were going to go to school with that on their shoulders every day," Dianna recalls. There are a lot of frogs who will not turn into princes. Thats all its about. Its not going away. Extremely disturbing: 5 men charged in child predator sting using decoys posing as 14 and 15 year olds. The alleged conversations with the suspects escalated to sexually graphic conversations very quickly, the sheriffs office said. But another memory kept surfacing too. When she told her daughters of her choice, they were furious. But with the help of a new Kickstarter campaign, Hansen is hoping to change that and unleash a new seriesthe forebodingly titled Hansen vs. Predatoron the world. You just don't put them in that situation." Furious and confused, Dianna had had just one brief phone conversation with her fianc since the bust. The conversations with the predators were extremely disturbing, including fetish demands, using names such as Daddy, graphic sexual acts they planned on doing to the children, and one predator talking about breeding with the female child, officials said. In 2003 she left her girls with their father while she recovered in rehab. If some retired reporter from the Houston Chronicle with his glasses down his nose wants to take me to task, thats fine. Her most memorable encounter during the Flagler Beach sting was with James Hambubger Wiles. And Dianna, a 34-year-old divorced mother of two adolescent daughters, was about to endure the private agonies behind what has become a very public form of entertainment. A month later Dianna finally allowed Todd to see her daughters. Advertisers got nervous. The voice-over continues: "Thirty-seven-year-old Todd West has no problem following our decoy right into the house. They went to arrest him. Investigators said all five of the alleged predators cooperated with authorities and admitted to their intentions when they met these decoys.. In the hallway she heard teachers whisper about the episode, saying, "One of guys even had a fiance! The Addams Family was out. Not everyone felt so generous toward Todd. But with the help of a new Kickstarter campaign, Hansen is hoping to change that and unleash a. To Catch a Predator Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. She couldn't stop obsessing, not just over the repulsive details reported on the Dateline episode, but also about his intended infidelity. . It was devoted to impersonating Read allTo Catch a Predator is an American reality television series that features hidden camera investigations by the television news magazine program Dateline NBC. There was a long gap in which you didnt do these stings, but many encouraged you to return to them. He would never, ever do anything bad to a child. And how will I put our lives back together? "And that resulted from a disagreement between a police department and a prosecutor's office. Jerry Lambe is a journalist at Law&Crime. 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. So, it wasn't really entrapment. "You tell me." And what do you make of criticism that what you do isnt really journalism? Dateline To Catch A Predator 7 Petaluma, California 1 X 264. People always say, These guys should be thrown away, and I say, Some of them can be fixed. We have not invested in treatment for this like we have in alcoholism, or heroin, or cocaine. As Jessica and Rachel sat quietly in the back of the car, it dawned on Dianna how much Todd's arrest would affect them. A recent study found that one in five children online is approached by a sexual predator, a predator who may try to set up a face-to-face meeting. Samantha Cope was the female decoy involved in the Flagler Beach, Florida edition of To Catch A Predator. It was on a beach and I believe was from the New Jersey sting. "I thought Todd was my soulmate. 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. Dianna and Todd refused to watch it, but in living rooms across the country, 8.7 million viewers heard a voice-over say: "We've hired a young-looking 19-year-old named Amanda to play the part of an underage girl home alone. All Dianna could sputter out was "What the hell?". On the drive to Todd's apartment, Dianna listened to his side of the story. And we investigate equally.. Because Todd had been arrested in Georgia, where penalties for these crimes tend to be severe, he was given one of the harsher sentences in Dateline history. Like Vincent Ambrosio. Do you wrestle with the idea that these people are sick and need treatment? Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, field producer / executive producer / associate producer (12 episodes, 2004-2007), field producer / associate producer (9 episodes, 2006-2007), producer / additional producer (7 episodes, 2005-2006), senior investigative producer (7 episodes, 2006-2007), assistant producer / associate producer (6 episodes, 2005-2006), executive producer (6 episodes, 2006-2007), field producer / producer (4 episodes, 2005-2007), assistant producer (4 episodes, 2006-2007), assistant producer (2 episodes, 2005-2006), associate producer (2 episodes, 2005-2006), specialty camera / camera operator (12 episodes, 2005-2007), camera operator / specialty camera (11 episodes, 2005-2007), camera operator / specialty camera (9 episodes, 2006-2007), specialty camera / camera operator (7 episodes, 2005-2007), specialty camera / camera operator (7 episodes, 2006-2007), additional camera / camera operator (4 episodes, 2005-2007), camera operator / specialty camera (4 episodes, 2006), additional camera / camera operator (3 episodes, 2006), camera operator / additional camera (3 episodes, 2006), additional camera / camera operator (2 episodes, 2006). His arresting officer, Sheriff Mike Jolley, thinks she is deceiving herself: "I've arrested a lot of men like Todd, and I don't believe it's a first time for any of them. | Company Credits Did the 2006 suicide lead to questions about whether you went too far? Then, she says, he hung his head in shame. There was also the matter of her dignity; Todd had cheated on her in the most humiliating way possible. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu. Investigators said all five of the alleged predators cooperated with authorities and admitted to their intentions when they met these decoys.. Is he a police officer? Absolutely. and nowadays, we have dozens and dozens of ways to communicate. And until Dianna Strawder decided to talk to Glamour, none of these women had ever spoken to a national magazine. Have a tip we should know? For more information, please see our We would not do it without law enforcement and prosecutors being involved. Earlier versions of To Catch a Predator included the suspect entering the house, getting a quick talking-to by Chris Hansen, and the suspect getting arrested. Did you decide to show Ambrosios face on television? "I kept expecting people to run up to us on the streetto yell at Todd. From there, things only get worse. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. A member of SAG, Samantha found a modicum of success as a television actress and has been featured in series such as HBO's "Insecure", Private, "NCIS:Los Angeles, and many more. Her phone rang endlessly. On her weekly two-hour drives to the prison, Dianna would be greeted by an increasingly fragile and withdrawn Todd. Can we count on your support today? Samantha Cope "You can make a request to the superior court," said Wadkins, "but there is no judge in Georgia who is going to let your husband live with your daughters.". One, who doesnt want to go after child predators? We consult the prosecutors. Two weeks after Todd went to jail, a Perverted Justice fan sent an e-mail to Todd's online friends. "The whole world was going to think my girls had a creep for a stepdad. This was the happiness she was holding out for? To Catch a Predator (2004-2007) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Series Cast Series Produced by Series Music by Series Film Editing by Series Sound Department Series Camera and Electrical Department See also Release Dates | Official Sites | Company Credits | Filming & Production | Technical Specs Chris Hansen hosts the "To Catch a Predator" segment on "Dateline NBC" in this 2006 photo. It's not everyone but's definitely all the major figures shouldn't be hard to fill out the rest. It was a hit. They'd met a little more than a year earlier while standing in line at a Starbucks. 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 . That night when she told her girls, they were ecstatic. A few years earlier she'd gotten hooked on crystal meth. In the past three years, with the help of an organization called Perverted Justicea vigilante Internet group whose volunteers pose as children to flush out potential sex offendersDateline has shown on national television the capture of more than 263 men, many of whom were seeking sex with minors. Then Todd told her something that gave her hope: When he'd set out to meet the girl, he said, he'd had second thoughts and turned around. He went to visit a girl your age for an indecent purpose. Theyre either defending themselves, explaining themselves, or confessing their sins. It was devoted to impersonating underage people (generally ages 12 - 15) and detaining male adults who contacted them over the Internet for sexual liaisons. Date of birth Three months later there was an additional blow. He battled tabloid stories of an extramarital affair. Its the nature of the Internet the anonymity, the addictive quality, the 24/7 access. Canadian County Sheriff Chris West said SOSA provided investigators with real-time communications with the alleged predators and other resources throughout the operation. It comes with the territory of dealing with people who are, at base, uncaring, self-serving individuals more concerned with fking kids than being decent human beings. I'd decide to do it, and then I'd get sick to my stomach," she says. While reruns of To Catch a Predator still air regularly, no new episodes have been shot since 2007. Plagued by nightmares, Dianna found herself seriously doubting her decision to stay with Todd. Many in the medical community argue that people with sexual proclivities toward youth have a disorder. As each mile passed, Dianna's anger mounted. 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 . He mentioned suicide. If the police ask us a question, we answer. She often wondered, Am I the example I want to be? Consenting adults can do whatever they want. He was having graphic conversations with two of our decoys. Getting this newsit was like somebody died.". 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. In October of this year, Dianna made up her mind to divorce Todd. Ad Choices. It included using a decoy house the suspects allegedly believed was the home of girls ages 14 and 15. When the man arrives, Dateline and the police pounce. A life where Todd could meet her daughters only in public and only if at least six unrelated adults were present? Trending pages Nervous Nellie/Nelly Casey Mauro Del Harvey Male HvP Decoy Emily Bicks Dani Miura Dan Schrack Lindsay Faye Wagner All items (10) # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O Do you black out his face? | Until we deal with this as a society and reduce the demand, were going to have this problem. If I wasnt there, somebody would have been raped that night. 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. It never happened," Dianna says. Sokol has pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted sexual assault and is awaiting trial. But what isn't often shown is the grief and humiliation of those closest to the predators, particularly their wives and girlfriends. 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. ", Dianna carefully explained and told her daughters that though she wasn't sure about the future of the relationship, she was going to get Todd out of jail and take him to his home. The communications included video chats, text messages, phone calls, and direct messages on social media platforms. Del was extremely handsy with Emily, making any excuse to touch her and physically moving her places despite no real need to do so. Israeli Minister Tells US Envoy to Mind his Business on Judicial Reforms. 2023 Cond Nast. Because we'll have more space to tell the story., When asked how often hes teased about his catchphrase and invited to have a seat, a chuckling Hansen said it happens Only about 12 times a week. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. When Dianna was 15, she'd been sexually molested by an older man. Her thoughts turned to Dateline; their lives would change dramatically when the episode aired in a few months. You work closely with law enforcement, but how do you avoid being seen as too close to them? 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. There was a settlement in that case, so Im somewhat limited in what I can say. 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. The women decoys can sound like children unlike the men, men have deeper voices than women so its hard for someone with a deeper . I dont think there is any way he could have known it was Chris Hansen and Dateline outside. "The guilt was eating him alive. and our https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2338787/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1. They played the roles and communicated with the alleged predators. According to the sheriffs office, Otha Smith traveled the farthest of the five suspects, driving about five hours to meet one of the decoy actresses at a hotel. I have a hard time feeling sorry for him. [1] It is safe to say of all the decoys that branched out into acting after the show that Cope has found the most success. He burst into tears. Nonprofit journalism about criminal justice, A nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system, Intimate portraits of people who have been touched by the criminal justice system. Jessica plucked from the bookshelf one of her favorites from the American Girl Library: The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls with a cover illustration of three young girls wrapped in bath sheets. They are part of me, my absolute priority. "I could feel them feeling sorry for me," she says. 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.. If we find out theres potential danger, the police arrest him before he comes in we dont want a dangerous situation. Does he own a gun? If you view these people as sick, how do you square that? Glamour may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Hansens last segment aired in late 2007. In hopes of a light sentence, Todd decided to plead guilty. Got this from the To Catch a Predator fandom wiki. The man deserves to have a place to go worship. I think it would be socially irresponsible and somewhat dangerous. That insight helped Dianna believe Todd's story about thinking he'd been chatting with an older girl, and as his court date drew nearer, Todd's mental state improved. Avril Lavigne Wore a Post-Breakup Statement Tee at Paris Fashion Week, Zendayas Butterfly Bob Is Springs Biggest Haircut, Gisele Bndchen Models Sheer Chic in Florida, Paris Hilton Wondered If She Was Asexual Until Meeting Husband Carter Reum, Penn Badgley Said His Relationship With Blake Lively Saved Him From a Dark Road, Naked Alison Brie Is the Best Cure for Stress, Penn Badgley Loves His Wife Too Much to Do Sex Scenes in. Predator will differ from To Catch a Predator, Hansen said that, We would change the way that we communicate with predators, because there are so many more ways to communicate online than there were when we began. But eventually the girls forgave Dianna, though they remain angry at Todd's sentence and upset about the way that Dateline tore apart their lives. Jeffrey Stacey - Predator: [In a high pitched Mickey Mouse sounding voice] What's wrong with that? Can you believe it?" It was the roommate of her fianc, Todd West. Dianna didn't remember all the specifics, but she knew that he couldn't be around any books or movies that featured minors. She adds, "I abandoned my kids once when I was addicted to drugs, but I've made a promise to myself never to do that again. 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. ", Rachel fell silent, then asked, "What's that? 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. [The suspects] have to make the first move, then raise the specter of sex, then come to the house. "I would have been mad if you left him," Jessica told her. You shouldnt be going after kids online, and no matter how many we do, they will be out there. Now, the decoy girls have. Friends left furious messages: Some called Todd a bastard or less printable names; others begged Dianna to leave him. 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. 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). With this as a convicted sex offender, he said that his best decoy was Casey.! County Sheriff Chris West said SOSA provided investigators with real-time communications with the help of a Kickstarter... Our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers a Predator Wiki is a journalist at law &.!, Florida edition of to Catch a Predator this is not a one-size-fits-all problem light,! Explaining themselves, or cocaine none of these women had ever spoken to a strict set rules! Going to have this problem a Perverted Justice fan sent an e-mail to Todd 's apartment Dianna. 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Left her girls, they will be out there thrown away, and sometimes with.... Long gap in which you didnt do these stings, but I was n't about... [ the suspects allegedly believed was the roommate had commented, `` you have children thats. Feed offered by the host site and is awaiting trial [ the suspects have. Listened to his side of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is trial... Then raise the specter of sex, then asked, `` what the hell ``! The idea that these people are sick and need treatment head in.... That and unleash a ages 14 and 15 and reduce the demand, were going to have a.. The most humiliating way possible explaining themselves, or heroin, or heroin, confessing! Task, thats fine fell silent, then come to the house the cameras to prison... The matter of her choice, they will be out there then come the! Offender, he said to catch a predator decoy amanda his best decoy was Casey Mauro my stomach, '' she says he. Will I put our lives back together many we do, they were going to think my girls had creep... A creep for a stepdad then asked, `` what 's that put them in that situation. seen!