STAFFORD, CT — A private resident whom state police said learned how to “catch a predator” by watching videos online has apparently caught a potential predator, state police said.
According to a warrant issued on April 15, 48-year-old Stafford resident Eric Vendette has been charged with attempt at enticing a minor younger than 18 and attempt at risk of injury to a child. He posted a $50,000 bond at his arraignment last week — knocked down from its original $75,000 — and is due for a second court appearance on Aug. 15, judicial system records show.
State police released details of the warrant this week.
According to a warrant, the investigation began June 3, when state police were contacted by a local resident claiming to have information about a possible “child predator” in Stafford.
The citizen learned how to “catch a predator” by watching online videos and then set up the fake profile of a 15-year-old boy on various dating applications, according to a warrant. Posing as the “boy,” the citizen “found” a “weird name” with the accompanying photo of an “older male,” according to a warrant.
The “boy” then asked the man if he were the same man he saw walking in Downtown Stafford,” and the man replied he is always there with his “puppy,” according to a warrant. The conversation turned to the “boy” actually “noticing” the man, according to a warrant.
The “boy” then asked the man if he were into young boys, to which there was a positive response, according to a warrant. The citizen then drove to Downtown Stafford to confront the man, according to a warrant.
The citizen gave state police screen shots of the conversations as well and the man was identified as Vendette, according to a warrant.
Vendette denied he intended to meet up with the boy, according to a warrant.
