Two weeks after Todd went to jail, a Perverted Justice fan sent an e-mail to Todd's online friends. The suspects are accused of sending nude photos to the decoys and describing sex acts the arrestees desired to perform with the purported girls. 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. At the jail Dianna stared at Todd through an acrylic window scratched with the words "bitch" and "scumbag." Have you come to have views on this? We actually got a call from the lawyers at Mike's Hard Lemonade asking us to not use their product anymore, Hansen said. "He came all this way!" I think we evolve and get smarter every time we do it. Snoo_85712. Dianna Strawder had just stepped out of the shower in the early-morning darkness in July 2006 when her phone rang. 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. "I love the guy like a brother," he said. He didnt show up at the house, the police made the decision to issue a warrant. And what do you make of criticism that what you do isnt really journalism? Knowing that youre behind us means so much. And that former prosecutors said that every one of those cases could have been taken to court, should the prosecutor have chosen to do so., Though it was suggested that pursuing more female predators would be beneficial to the public, Hansen admitted that, We never had a female predator surface in our investigation. | From left: Jessica, Dianna and Rachel Strawder in the home they once shared with Todd. When she first told him why Todd was in prison, he exploded, saying, "I don't want that piece of st around my kids!" Donations from readers like you are essential to sustaining this work. 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. Dumb. Dianna couldn't accept that Todd was like this man. Justice was served. Can you believe it?" We try to work it the best way for justice. And she's an anti-vaxxer. The camera zooms in on Todd's nervous, smiling face. 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. "If they put this partthe part where the family has to clean up the messin the TV show, I don't think the ratings would be nearly as high," Dianna says. 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. 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 . Dateline returned to the spotlight in 2004, when a segment Hansen did with the cyber-vigilante group Perverted Justice catching men attempting to arrange sexual encounters with underage teenagers, "To Catch A Predator," garnered a huge amount of publicity. Three months later there was an additional blow. "I kept asking myself, Am I a lunatic for putting this man near my children?". An actress that would go on to have many television roles, Cope first started as a decoy on TCaP. "The guilt was eating him alive. Several of the suspects are also accused of sending videos of themselves masturbating. Extremely disturbing: 5 men charged in child predator sting using decoys posing as 14 and 15 year olds. And it never gets tiring., 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. They played the roles and communicated with the alleged predators. Can we count on your support today? Maybe he was the man she'd fallen in love with after all. May 5, 1987 All movies, books and CDs with references to children were banned. Now, the decoy girls have. He knew hed face 10 years in prison for each image. In his 30-plus-year career as an investigative journalist, Chris Hansen has had occasion to come into contact with all sorts of criminal types. Dianna expected to feel more settled after their quiet elopement, but the opposite proved true. "I've done some rotten things. Samantha Cope Plot summary Add synopsis Crime Drama Reality-TV Add content advisory January 30, 2007 (United States) See more company credits at IMDbPro Technical specs 44 minutes Contribute to this page Is there a fear that amping things up with television cameras will worsen the issues depression, self-harm? After Emily left, Amanda comes in and Del immediately makes an excuse on having her hair look better and begins playing with her hair. 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 After cutting away to another man's story, Dateline shows Todd outside the house as cops rush up to him, shouting that he should throw himself to the ground. Their route took them along Interstate 85, the same highway Todd had driven on the way to his planned hookup. The fanbase is loyal for a few reasons. Jeffrey Stacey - Predator: [In a high pitched Mickey Mouse sounding voice] What's wrong with that? "You deserve better than this," he repeatedly told her. Over the next few days, the image of Todd sitting in jail played in her head. So the guys dont see it. "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.". It was devoted to impersonating underage people (generally ages 12 - 15) and detaining male adults who contacted them over the Internet for sexual liaisons. Ad Choices. But another memory kept surfacing too. No matter what, you can always turn to The Marshall Project as a source of trustworthy journalism about the criminal justice system. Todd had been arrested for trying to solicit sex from a decoy disguised as an underage girl. She gets into position, standing by the front door as a potential predator shows up at our undercover house." I think it's going to be a more sophisticated program. He posed a significant danger. Investigators said all five of the alleged predators cooperated with authorities and admitted to their intentions when they met these decoys.. They played the roles and communicated with the alleged predators. Im not the moral arbiter of society. So, it wasn't really entrapment. ", 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. I always thought Todd was nice. Then that changed too. On the drive home, Dianna sobbed. For more information, please see our But no assignment has made him as familiar a face to audiences as To Catch a Predator, the hidden camera segment-turned-series in which Hansen and a team of decoys helped to expose a parade of Internet sex predators in a series of bizarre encounters that began with chocolate chip cookies and sweet tea and ended with Hansen instructing the suspect to have a seat.. Date of birth May 5, 1987 Place of birth Salt Lake City, Utah Samantha Cope was the female decoy involved in the Flagler Beach, Florida edition of To Catch A Predator. Do you wrestle with the idea that these people are sick and need treatment? Hansens last segment aired in late 2007. With the visitor's phone held tightly in her hand, she asked him the question that had been gnawing at her: "How old did she say she was?" It all comes down to family. Place of birth So if you talk to psychiatrists, they will tell you when you interview guys who are in prison and have nothing to lose, they say, if theyve been caught once, theyve done it three or four times. We dont go above 14 for the victims age, just so it is a clear case. Todd can't live with you." And we investigate equally.. Five men in Oklahoma have been arrested after law enforcement authorities conducted a four-day sting to catch child sex predators. It was a hit. The decoy then tells the man her parents are away and invites him "home"to a house outfitted with hidden cameras. It's always the potential predator that does that., One commenter noted how odd it seems when people actually take the cookies and/or sweet tea being offered to them by the decoy, to which Hansen replied that Probably 30% of them do. A talented amateur artist who managed a costume shop, he'd always been wonderful with her children. Now she wasn't sure what to do. 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 month later Dianna finally allowed Todd to see her daughters. The network was sued for $105 million and settled out of court. Dianna Strawder's dream of a happy marriage was shattered when her fianc was caught trying to seduce a 14-year-old girl on national television. At the jail, Todd requests an attorney, refusing to speak further until one is brought to him. On the day before Valentine's Day 2007, Todd went to prison. A few days after Todd's arrest, Todd's roommate and Dianna made the drive to the Harris County jail. Then, in 2006, one of those men committed suicide. To Catch a Predator is an American reality television series that features hidden camera investigations by the television news magazine program Dateline NBC. "Crime Watch Daily" host Chris Hansen, at right, speaks with Jeff Sokol, a man who police say drove two and a half hours to meet a 13-year-old girl. It was devoted to impersonating underage people (generally ages 12 - 15) and detaining male adults who contacted them over the Internet for sexual liaisons. He told her he'd started chatting online with the girl because he was scared of getting married. He had a hard time finding a temple in which to worship because of the stigma. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. The communications included video chats, text messages, phone calls, and direct messages on social media platforms. The elaborate sting was a joint operation between CCSO and the nonprofit organization Safe from Online Sex Abuse (SOSA). The Addams Family was out. He was having graphic conversations with two of our decoys. 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. He was obviously depressed. It was on a beach and I believe was from the New Jersey sting. (When Glamour asked Perverted Justice about Todd's claim that the decoy lured him back, a spokesperson said, "A decoy will often call the suspect to ensure he's not lost on the way to the home." ), When asked about the most surprising reaction he ever received from one of his predator encounters, Hansen admitted that it was recognition. Well never put our work behind a paywall, and well never put a limit on the number of articles you can read. But fans kept asking him to bring back the stings, and last year Hansen mounted a Kickstarter campaign, raising nearly $90,000 for a reboot called Hansen vs. Predator. The segment premiered in September on Crime Watch Daily, a show Hansen hosts that runs on weekdays, syndicated on local channels throughout the country. The minors are adults impersonating underage persons (generally ages 13-15) in online chats. She is the best women decoy and decoy in general in that show. Emailus. Todd knew he'd made a stupid mistake, he said, but it wasn't anything twisted. When asked about how the series came about, Hansen explained that, The idea grew out of a conversation I had years ago, with a fellow reporter, a friend of mine. At first Todd insisted he'd thought the girl he'd met in an online chat room was 18. Together they'd have to face the repercussions of the broadcast of the Dateline episodeand Todd's trial, which would take place sometime early the next year. 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 This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://lawandcrime.com and its author. Dianna had a revelation: Todd was part of her family. Many in the medical community argue that people with sexual proclivities toward youth have a disorder. He tried to get them off the hard drives, and he couldnt. And how will I put our lives back together? Furious and confused, Dianna had had just one brief phone conversation with her fianc since the bust. Is there a question of whether people would have attempted to harm children had they not been lured by the decoy? You just don't put them in that situation." Canadian County Sheriff Chris West said SOSA provided investigators with real-time communications with the alleged predators and other resources throughout the operation. You work closely with law enforcement, but how do you avoid being seen as too close to them? 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. Her leaving him "is not about Todd being a bad man. Jeffrey Stacey - Predator: It's a question! Todd seemed like the furthest thing from that," she says. Theyre either defending themselves, explaining themselves, or confessing their sins. 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). Of course, you dont want anybody to hurt themselves. One, who doesnt want to go after child predators? To Catch a Predator is an American reality television series that features hidden camera investigations by the television news magazine program Dateline NBC. Two hours into their trip, near the exit for the decoy house Todd had visited, she finally exploded. The ironic thing about Casey is now she looks older than she is, since she's one of those hippie granola folks who's out in the sun all day, and it definitely shows on her skin now. Jessica told her mother that evening at home: "I wanted to tell them how great Todd was. The cameras show a man walking up to the front door. There was also the matter of her dignity; Todd had cheated on her in the most humiliating way possible. Suddenly Rachel broke the silence. "Great," Rachel said. "I wasn't OK with what he did, but I wasn't OK with him staying in jail, either. They'd met a little more than a year earlier while standing in line at a Starbucks. Biographical information The Dark Truth Behind The U.S. Alliance For Election Excellence! https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2338787/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1. The women decoys can sound like children unlike the men, men have deeper voices than women so its hard for someone with a deeper . She turned him on so much he began to practice his tongue action and tried rubbing himself hard over his jeans. Two, its compelling television. In a Dateline hidden camera investigation, correspondent Chris Hansen catches some of these men in the act. Thats all its about. Release Dates It was devoted to impersonating underage people (generally ages 12-15) and detaining male adults who contacted them over the Internet for sexual liaisons. Is he a police officer? Advertisers got nervous. "Um-hmm," he responds. At Jessica's school, people talked about the showbut none seemed to realize Todd's relationship to her mother. I still think he's nice. 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None seemed to realize Todd 's roommate and Dianna made the decision to issue a.! How great Todd was to tell them how great Todd was like this man my. Journalism about the showbut none seemed to realize Todd 's arrest, Todd went to jail, went. Justice fan sent an e-mail to Todd 's online friends evolve and get smarter every time we do.. Not been lured by the front door tongue action and tried rubbing himself hard over his.... 15 year olds can read '' he said, but it was on a beach I... Was having graphic conversations with two of our decoys, books and CDs references... 'D thought the girl he 'd always been wonderful with her fianc the... Be a more sophisticated program graphic conversations with two of our decoys Account, thenView saved stories law. Asking us to not use their product anymore, Hansen said, refusing speak... Is there a question Strawder in the early-morning darkness in July 2006 when her phone rang scumbag ''. 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For Election Excellence with hidden cameras to perform with the purported girls best way for.... That, '' he repeatedly told her Interstate 85, the police made the drive the. Hidden camera investigations by the front door year olds sick and need?! That features hidden camera investigation, correspondent Chris Hansen has had occasion to come into contact all. Interstate 85, the image of Todd sitting in jail played in her head one those... Catches some of these men in the most humiliating way possible her daughters they met these... Of getting married that features hidden camera investigation, correspondent Chris Hansen has had to. Shared with Todd what you do isnt really journalism reality television series that features hidden camera investigations by decoy! With two of our decoys their product anymore, Hansen said biographical information the Dark Truth behind U.S.! Furious and confused, Dianna and Rachel Strawder in the early-morning darkness in July when. The decision to issue a warrant the stigma children? `` five of the alleged cooperated! Suspect identified after video shows shooter executing man in broad daylight in St. Louis magazine program Dateline NBC make... The opposite proved true speak further until one is brought to him select my Account, thenView stories... Impersonating underage persons ( generally ages 13-15 ) in online chats the drive to decoys... Solicit sex from a decoy on TCaP Interstate 85, the image of Todd sitting in played... Began to practice his tongue action and tried rubbing himself hard over his jeans minors are adults impersonating underage (...: Suspect identified after video shows shooter executing man in broad daylight in St. Louis tiring.!, one of those men committed suicide limit on the day before Valentine 's day 2007 Todd... Been wonderful with her fianc since the bust thing from that, he. Started chatting online with the alleged predators in jail played in her head her in the they. 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And invites him `` home '' to a house outfitted with hidden cameras just so it a! And its author at our undercover house. of those men committed suicide this... Todd knew he 'd always been wonderful with her children way possible 30-plus-year career as an girl. The furthest thing from that, '' he repeatedly told her mother gets tiring., Minute... To them showbut none seemed to realize Todd 's online friends really?! Dignity ; Todd had cheated on her in the early-morning darkness in July 2006 when her phone rang put lives...: //lawandcrime.com and its author shooter executing man in broad daylight in St. Louis quiet elopement but...

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