Exposing Online Predators
Some of the people helping expose alleged online predators aren’t wearing badges.
They’re content creators, internet sleuths, and groups like Predator Poachers, who recently brought their operation to Upstate New York.
Predator Poachers is an online group founded by Alex Rosen that uses decoy social media accounts posing as minors.
The group communicates with adults they believe are attempting to arrange inappropriate encounters with children, confronts them on camera, and turns its evidence over to law enforcement.
Recent Video was Filmed in Schenectady County
During a recent video filmed near Mariaville Lake in Schenectady County, Predator Poachers confronted a young man who they allege believed he had been communicating with an 11-year-old girl.
During the recorded confrontation, the group targeted and exposed a local resident named Dylan Groton.
According to Rosen and the group, Groton allegedly attempted to arrange a meeting with the supposed child in a wooded area near the lake for inappropriate purposes.
No actual 11-year-old was involved; the account was reportedly a decoy used as part of the group’s sting.
NYSP Hancuffs Alleged Child Predator
Video from the encounter shows New York State Police arriving at the scene and then placing the man in handcuffs and subsequently putting him into a State Police vehicle.
Rosen tells viewers that he believes the man will eventually face charges, while adding that the process in New York can take longer than in some other states.
Read More: Horses, Dogs, Goats Among 59 Animals Rescued in Upstate NY
As of this writing, we have not independently confirmed any criminal charges stemming from the encounter with New York State Police.
Personally, I’m all for these civilian groups conducting these kinds of stings. Most feel that anyone legitimately working to protect children and providing usable evidence to law enforcement is doing important work.
In this case, Predator Poachers says that’s exactly what they were trying to do.
Details in this story are based in part on video and statements released by Predator Poachers and information available at the time of publication. Any person accused of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Have a news tip, correction, update, or story you think we should know about? Email me at brian@wgna.com.
