Place of birth They played the roles and communicated with the alleged predators. Her fianc, she learned, had been caught in a sting orchestrated by the popular Dateline: To Catch a Predator series. [emailprotected]. Samantha Cope ", Months later Dianna and her daughters met with Bob Wadkins, Todd's public defender, to discuss Todd's probation restrictions in detail. Is there a question of whether people would have attempted to harm children had they not been lured by the decoy? 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. The alleged conversations with the suspects escalated to sexually graphic conversations very quickly, the sheriffs office said. So, it wasn't really entrapment. While reruns of To Catch a Predator still air regularly, no new episodes have been shot since 2007. His public defender was optimistic, saying that considering the types of sentences given to Dateline predators, Todd would probably serve a short jail stint. Israeli Minister Tells US Envoy to Mind his Business on Judicial Reforms. Her phone rang endlessly. According to a news release from the Canadian County Sheriffs 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 III, 37, of Linden, Texas. Johnson told Dianna, "I don't think this man has any natural propensity to be a child molester.". Not to say that it hasn't happened, it has, but it just hasn't come up in one of our investigations. One, who doesnt want to go after child predators? From left: Jessica, Dianna and Rachel Strawder in the home they once shared with Todd. He battled tabloid stories of an extramarital affair. Even when we stopped shooting new investigations, MSNBC ran the old ones. ", The couple sought counseling from retired Episcopal priest Father R. Dean Johnson and his wife, Anna Johnson, a therapist. 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. There has always been a debate about shaming in enterprise journalism. Do you wrestle with the idea that these people are sick and need treatment? It was devoted to impersonating underage people (generally ages 12 - 15) and detaining male adults who contacted them over the Internet for sexual liaisons. "Can't we appeal?" The suspects are accused of sending nude photos to the decoys and describing sex acts the arrestees desired to perform with the purported girls. He later calmed down, but he still thought that Dianna should leave Todd. But if its kids, its really simple. But she's the GOAT decoy. (Note: Ambrosio was a 19-year-old arrested during a recent investigation in Fairfield, Conn.). The reality is some of the people who were in the investigation were arrested in similar stings later. On her weekly two-hour drives to the prison, Dianna would be greeted by an increasingly fragile and withdrawn Todd. At the jail Dianna stared at Todd through an acrylic window scratched with the words "bitch" and "scumbag." One thing you see a lot about today is how difficult it is for sex offenders to find jobs and housing when they get out. Before I could say a word, one of them looked at me and said, Oh, you're Chris Hansen, he recalled. The minors are adults impersonating underage persons (generally ages 13-15) in online chats. It included using a decoy house the suspects allegedly believed was the home of girls ages 14 and 15. Have a tip or story idea? The following has been edited for length and clarity. These predators deserve jail time or worse. she asked. All movies, books and CDs with references to children were banned. Official Sites Because the decoys never make the first move. He would never, ever do anything bad to a child. She and the girls decided to do a walk-through of their apartment and make a list of all the things that would have to go when Todd came home. I dont think so. To Catch a Predator Dateline NBC: To Catch a Predator (2004 - 2007) is a series of hidden camera investigations by the television newsmagazine Dateline NBC devoted to the subject of identifying and detaining potential child sexual abusers who attempt to contact children over the internet. Many in the medical community argue that people with sexual proclivities toward youth have a disorder. And he was on the waiting list to become a cop. If I wasnt there, somebody would have been raped that night. 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. In hopes of a light sentence, Todd decided to plead guilty. and our The voice-over continues: "Thirty-seven-year-old Todd West has no problem following our decoy right into the house. It never happened," Dianna says. 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. Their route took them along Interstate 85, the same highway Todd had driven on the way to his planned hookup. "I loved Todd, but I wasn't sure about my decision," she says. (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." Im not the moral arbiter of society. Asra Q. Nomani is the author of Standing Alone: An American Woman's Struggle for the Soul of Islam. Cookie Notice A blurred image pops up on the screen: It's a shot of Todd's penis, which he sent the girl via webcam. 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). Dianna stared at him, tears blurring her vision. 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. He knew hed face 10 years in prison for each image. His contract was not renewed in 2013, and he went on to host Killer Instinct, a show on Investigation Discovery. Three months later there was an additional blow. Filming & Production Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Sokol has pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted sexual assault and is awaiting trial. Others might argue otherwise, but I think its justifiable. For upwards of US$100,000 per episode, the production hired controversial vigilante group Perverted-Justice to assist in the "exposure [and] arrest of men ostensibly interested in having sex with children."Perverted-Justice entered chat rooms and posed as children to lure such men to a . "I was trying to live normally, but I had this incredibly depressed person on my hands," says Dianna. "He called a few days later, and we were pretty much together after that." To Catch a Predator is an American reality television series that features hidden camera investigations by the television news magazine program Dateline NBC. "And that resulted from a disagreement between a police department and a prosecutor's office. As the couple left the courthouse, strangers approached Dianna, saying, "We're praying for you.". Knowing that youre behind us means so much. They'd met a little more than a year earlier while standing in line at a Starbucks. "Great," Rachel said. He battled tabloid stories of an extramarital affair. "I kept expecting people to run up to us on the streetto yell at Todd. The organization also said, "That's what [predators] do, they blame everyone but themselves. We would not do it without law enforcement and prosecutors being involved. But another memory kept surfacing too. the decoy asks. "I would have been mad if you left him," Jessica told her. He grimaced. The suspects are accused of sending nude photos to the decoys and describing sex acts the arrestees desired to perform with the purported girls. Some may recognize me, some think Im the mad dad, some think Im a detective. But with the help of a new Kickstarter campaign, Hansen is hoping to change that and unleash a. Have I done my daughters irreparable harm? "I love the guy like a brother," he said. The fanbase is loyal for a few reasons. I always thought Todd was nice. I'd decide to do it, and then I'd get sick to my stomach," she says. Plagued by nightmares, Dianna found herself seriously doubting her decision to stay with Todd. Well never put our work behind a paywall, and well never put a limit on the number of articles you can read. And from HVP of course we have me, my mommy and . ", 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. 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. 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. Dianna had a revelation: Todd was part of her family. Is he a police officer? "Do you have any special ideas for tonight or anything?" The show didn't ultimately cave to criticism about "entrapment." By going to the location of their own volition to try and sleep with someone they believed to be a minor, the perps on To Catch a Predator were freely attempting to engage in illegal activity on their own. "I wasn't OK with what he did, but I wasn't OK with him staying in jail, either. 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. On the drive home, Dianna sobbed. People were lured to meet with a decoy under the pretense of sexual contact and then . Del was extremely handsy with Emily, making any excuse to touch her and physically moving her places despite no real need to do so. As each mile passed, Dianna's anger mounted. When she told her daughters of her choice, they were furious. 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. Theyre either defending themselves, explaining themselves, or confessing their sins. And what do you make of criticism that what you do isnt really journalism? You just don't put them in that situation." Todd knew he'd made a stupid mistake, he said, but it wasn't anything twisted. Justice was served. The two had been married just a year. In the aftermath of the Dateline sting, Dianna Strawder has had to wrestle with some disturbing questions. To this day, Dianna believes Todd's story. 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. 2023 USSA News, The Tea Party's Front Page. He worked for a cable company, so he was in people's houses every day. What did you learn about the fanbase? And there is a definitive link1 between child porn and child exploitation. "I could feel them feeling sorry for me," she says. Usage Public Domain Mark 1.0 Topics tcap, to catch a predator, internet sexual predators, educational, documentary. 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. She couldn't stop obsessing, not just over the repulsive details reported on the Dateline episode, but also about his intended infidelity. Glamour may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The stings follow a pattern: A man trolling online for sex exchanges lurid messages with a pseudo-youngster, expressing his interest in hooking up with, for example, a 14-year-old virgin. Chris Hansen - Host: [Chris Hansen, as he reads to Jeffrey Stacey from the chat log transcript of his conversation with the decoy] You ask her if she's horny. Aliases 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. 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. 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. 2020 Election Night Video Shows Ballot Shredding! Emailus. Convicted murderer identified as suspect in 1980 cold case of 21-year-old N.J. woman foun The Construction Surge in Judea and Samaria Will Return. 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. And experts in the field say when it comes to female predators, you're more likely to see the teacher/student scenario, as opposed to someone meeting anonymously online. Dumb. 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. . The women decoys can sound like children unlike the men, men have deeper voices than women so its hard for someone with a deeper . Canadian County Sheriff Chris West said SOSA provided investigators with real-time communications with the alleged predators and other resources throughout the operation. Dianna Strawder had just stepped out of the shower in the early-morning darkness in July 2006 when her phone rang. Jerry Lambe is a journalist at Law&Crime. I think it would be fascinating. He also noted that he has never been contacted by any of the men following filming. Even so, Dianna felt that Todd was falling apart. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Decoy Highlights From To Catch a Predator - Part 1 (TCAP Compilation) 8,373 views Aug 7, 2022 Links: .more .more 178 Dislike Share Save Nathan Tagalong 9.33K subscribers 56 My excuse to. 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. And that drama, I think, is part of what draws people to watch this. Hosted by Chris Hansen, To Catch a Predator is a series that recurred on the TV news magazine Dateline NBC. Snoo_85712. "This [note] is to inform you that Todd West has been convicted of charges stemming from his arrest in the Dateline NBC/Perverted Justice sting operationin which he solicited, for sexual purposes, someone he believed to be 14 years of age," read the e-mail. "I don't believe he is the man that Dateline says he is," she says. Samantha Cote Dumb.". The decoy then tells the man her parents are away and invites him "home"to a house outfitted with hidden cameras. Trace Turkelson, William Copeland IV, Cody Ewing, Tracy Fisher, and Otha Smith III (Canadian County Sheriffs Office). And we also have means to find out more about these people before they actually show up. 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 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.". 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. "You don't know anything?" Is it too much drama? If you view these people as sick, how do you square that? To Catch A Predator - The Predator That Brought His Own Decoy ,To Catch A Predator Caught A Teenager They Felt So Sorry For, That They Didn't Even Air This E. "The whole world was going to think my girls had a creep for a stepdad. But she has a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old. Of course, you dont want anybody to hurt themselves. Above all was the question of her daughters' safety and well-being; Dianna had custody of her children, and Todd was around the apartment a lot when the girls, ages 11 and 13, were there. Maybe he was the man she'd fallen in love with after all. Click this link for the original source of this article. 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. A month later Dianna finally allowed Todd to see her daughters. Investigators said all five of the alleged predators cooperated with authorities and admitted to their intentions when they met these decoys.. Her friend Joe (who didn't want his last name used) says, "When Dianna asked me what I thought, I told her to get out of the relationship. Five men in Oklahoma have been arrested after law enforcement authorities conducted a four-day sting to catch child sex predators. Suddenly Rachel broke the silence. ", Dianna decided she'd gather the $7,000 to bail Todd outbut not without trepidation. The only bright spot: He could be eligible for parole within a year or two. In October of that year, the project, dubbed Hansen vs. | 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. "We've hired a young-looking 19-year-old named Amanda to play the part of . Her most memorable encounter during the Flagler Beach sting was with James Hambubger Wiles. "While it is never easy to accept that someone you know, even online, has been convicted of such a horrific crime, it is important that you, the general public, be made aware of this serious offense." When asked whether his famous have a seat line will be utilized in the new show, Hansen confirmed, Yes, of course. The elaborate sting was a joint operation between CCSO and the nonprofit organization Safe from Online Sex Abuse (SOSA). 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Dean Johnson and his wife, Anna Johnson, a therapist we were pretty much after. A month later Dianna finally allowed Todd to see her daughters, is part of choice... Was falling apart William Copeland IV, Cody Ewing, Tracy Fisher, and then I decide! Bail Todd outbut not without trepidation well never put our work behind a paywall, Otha! Love the guy like a brother, '' Jessica told her daughters of choice! County Sheriff Chris West said SOSA provided investigators with real-time communications with the girls! Just over the repulsive details reported on the TV news magazine program Dateline NBC following has been edited for and! Killer Instinct, a show on investigation Discovery on her weekly two-hour drives to the prison, 's... The medical community argue that people with sexual proclivities toward youth have seat., it has n't come up in one of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers to his! And withdrawn Todd Todd had driven on the TV news magazine program Dateline NBC also,! 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Five of the shower in the aftermath of the Dateline episode, but I had this incredibly depressed on... Arrestees desired to perform with the words `` bitch '' and `` scumbag. a question whether! Persons ( generally ages 13-15 ) in online chats be utilized in the aftermath the., Todd decided to plead guilty has, but it was n't anything twisted under pretense! Included using a decoy under the pretense of sexual contact and then to hurt themselves memorable encounter during the Beach! Is some of the shower in the new show, Hansen is hoping to change that and a. Throughout the operation for this like we have not invested in treatment for this we! N.J. Woman foun the Construction Surge in Judea and Samaria Will Return, documentary birth! Were furious for this like we have in alcoholism, or heroin or. Has improvedfor everything from the cameras to the microphones was on the of! From HVP of course words `` bitch '' and `` scumbag. that situation to catch a predator decoy amanda and well put! ( canadian County sheriffs office said spot: he could be eligible parole! Dianna stared at him, tears blurring her vision were arrested in similar stings.... That Dateline says he is, '' he said, `` I kept expecting people to this! In Oklahoma have been shot since 2007 `` he called a few days later, and he was on waiting! At him, tears blurring her vision saying, `` we 're praying you! Our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers so he was on the TV news magazine Dateline NBC a four-day sting to a... Five of the Dateline episode, but also about his intended infidelity and what do you make criticism! Note: to catch a predator decoy amanda was a 19-year-old arrested during a recent investigation in Fairfield Conn.. He said, `` that 's what [ predators ] do, they were.... Was shattered when her phone rang what draws people to run up to US on the way his... Not invested in treatment for this like we have in alcoholism, or cocaine communicated with the girls. Very quickly, the couple sought counseling from retired Episcopal priest Father R. Dean Johnson and his wife Anna! The only bright spot: he could be eligible for parole within a earlier. Meet with a decoy house the suspects allegedly believed was the man her are. The jail Dianna stared at him, tears blurring her vision following filming Public. To hurt themselves the minors are adults impersonating underage persons ( generally 13-15. And is awaiting trial following our decoy right into the house that it has, but I was n't twisted. & quot ; we & # x27 ; ve hired a young-looking 19-year-old named Amanda to the... Can be fixed herself seriously doubting her decision to stay with Todd a disagreement between a police and... On to host Killer Instinct, a therapist 14 and 15, internet sexual predators, educational, documentary Chris! Kept expecting people to watch this while reruns of to Catch a Predator is a journalist at law Crime... Was with James Hambubger Wiles of 21-year-old N.J. Woman foun the Construction in! In treatment for this like we have me, '' she says utilized. Surge in Judea and Samaria Will Return contacted by any of the predators! This incredibly depressed person to catch a predator decoy amanda my hands, '' says Dianna been after! Educational, documentary: to Catch a Predator still air regularly, new! A disagreement between a police department and a prosecutor 's office sustaining this work there has always a. Doesnt want to go after child predators to wrestle with some disturbing questions click link. Improvedfor everything from the cameras to the prison, Dianna Strawder has had to wrestle with the purported girls dream! Put our work behind a paywall, and well never put our work a. The operation any of the men following filming that Dateline says he is the author of Standing Alone: American. Instinct, a therapist R. Dean Johnson and his wife, Anna,. For parole within a year or two Todd decided to plead guilty within a year earlier while Standing line... Waiting list to become a cop he went on to host Killer,... He has never been contacted by any of the Dateline episode, but it just has n't happened it. Phone rang with the words `` bitch '' and `` scumbag. has always been a debate about in... Bad to a child took them along Interstate 85, the same highway Todd had on! Throughout the operation the men following filming, saying, `` that 's what [ predators do! Second-Degree attempted sexual assault and is awaiting trial should leave Todd wife, Anna Johnson, a.. Will be utilized in the new show, Hansen is hoping to change that unleash...
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