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'She waved at me,' and other excuses

Posted: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 11:16 AM by Dateline Editor
Filed Under: , , ,

by Chris Hansen, Dateline correspondent

Since we started our “To Catch A Predator” investigations almost two and a half years ago, I have confronted more than 200 men who had sexually explicit online chats with decoys posing as young teens before showing up for a date at one of our hidden camera houses.

Many of the men ultimately admit their intentions and sometimes go into great detail about their online addictions and compulsions that led them to our door.

But every once in a while, I run into someone who comes up with what he thinks is a plausible story-- an “innocent excuse” if you will -- for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Such is the case with the first man you’ll meet tonight. He’s a 32-year-old successful real estate executive who was chatting online with a decoy posing as a 13-year-old girl. As you’ll see, he’s a pretty confident guy when he walks into our house. When I start to ask him questions, he says he was in our area checking on some property he owned and had pulled off the road near our house to get a good view of the space shuttle blasting off. In fact, we’d been treated to the same inspiring sight just a short while earlier.


Click the photo for a video preview of the exchange.

Then he tells me he just happened to see our decoy in the driveway, assumed our house was for sale, and figured he’d stop in to check it out. Unfortunately for him that doesn’t explain his sexually explicit chat or the naked photos he sent. While there’s no face in the pictures to match the man standing in our living room, there’s a distinctive piece of jewelry that matches exactly the one he’s wearing. That’s where his crafty story starts to unravel.

During our investigation in Flagler beach, we’re not only prepared for excuses, we’re also ready for men who may want to meet at a location besides our house. It presents a technical challenge, but as you’ll see, it’s one that pays off.

The first part of the Flagler Beach episode airs Tuesday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m.

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Comments

This show should be on as often as COPS. It is a real threat (predators) and I think Dateline's show is an example of excellent partnership between television and police officers. I'm sure if they had the time and manpower these stings would happen more often. Keep up the great work!

Whitney Adams, Independence, Missouri (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 11:46 AM)

maybe you guys should wait around in murphy a little longer because this councilmember sounds a little nervous. i wonder.........and when are you coming to Buffalo NY? i'd love you to catch a couple predators up here. thanks for your service to the people and also creating a great show. i get plenty of laughs watching these idiots get caught. it shows how sick they really are because they all WATCH THE SHOW!!!! but that doesnt stop them, does it?

Robert Short, Buffalo NY (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 11:55 AM)

When will these pervs learn that when they're caught, you can't explain away your perversions. No excuses will make up for the fact that you did what you did. There's an old saying... "Doof bleibt doof, da hilfen keine pillen." Stupid remains stupid, no pills can cure that. Keep it up, Chris. You guys are great.

Gabrael, Prattville, AL (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 12:20 PM)

when are you coming to san diego? you know, we have a lot of perverts here also. Anyways, keep up the great work.

j garcia, chula vista, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 12:43 PM)

In my city a man was just released by a judge because the decoy he was chatting with was over 18. We just let a predator go because in order to comit a crime the person would actually have to be 13 and in danger. I think you have the right idea. Get them before they show up at a real childs home. Thank you for the public service. You all should be comended.

Maggie, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 12:49 PM)

You really should set up a place in Utah... Utah families have a lot of children, and I have a feeling a lot of pedophiles live here.

J.K., Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 1:03 PM)

Harrisburg Pennsylvania welcomes you with open arms! There is a history here of blame the child because they should know better and simply shake your head at the offender. No one wants to get involved. Pennsylvania seems to be the Australia of the Northeast. Criminals (including pedophiles/sexual predators)flock here as if it's untamed territory. I believe that your show gets most people talking and gaining an understanding of how pervasive this issue is.

Resident, Harrisburg, Pa (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 1:06 PM)

It's amazing how so many people out there can have all of these sexually explicit chats with children and then try to make excuses once they are caught. Why can't people just step up to the plate and own up to what they did wrong? Sure it has a penalty, but you shouldn't do the crime if you won't do the time. It's that simple.

Cherise, Phoenix, Arizona (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 1:20 PM)

I'd like to see partnerships like yours become more widespread so we can catch all these creeps. Like many people, there's a predator in my family who claims he's now reformed, which I don't believe for an instant. Unfortunately, some in my family do believe him and allow their young children to be babysat by him. I've tried to have him investigated but no luck so far. He spends so much time on the internet that I'm sure an operation such as yours would catch him, but why should we have to wait for you to do it? Can't you replicate this program with local news agencies?

Julie, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 1:43 PM)

I too would like for you to come to my city to catch the predators here. I love the show and hope it will continue for many years to come so that these "men" will all be placed behind bars.

Shelly Phillips, Bloomington, MN (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 1:43 PM)

I wish your specials were on more often - parents/guardians need more & more reminders to monitor their children's online activities...I am especially glad this special took place in my hometown, where most of my family still resides - hopefully it will help protect more children and stop predators in the area. Thanks for all your great work!

Stephanie, Jacksonville, Florida (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 1:45 PM)

if there ever was "MUST SEE TV", this is it. keep up the great work, protecting our babies, and thanks for such great entertainment (hard to come by, these days, on the tube).as sick as these people are, i can't help but have a good laugh at their expense. some of the stuff that comes out of their mouths..

wendy harpster, milton,delaware (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 2:11 PM)

First, I think the show shines a much needed light on child predators. And the indignation the sister of the D.A who commited suicide should be directed at the predator who chose to take the cowards way out instead of facing the justice he probably preached about. The Murphy Council member seems to be a little bit defensive. Sounds to me like Murphy, TX like many other communites should be happy that Dateline got some of the child predators off the street.

Reginald Wallace, Edgewood, NM (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 2:37 PM)

I think your show is good, what I do not understand is why you have to read the the conversations these guys have with these kids.That just does'nt seem necessary.

joanne (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 2:41 PM)

I hope in some way this slows the pervs out there and makes them think twice.I know you can not treat all the sick people out there but you can stop some of them.I have 5 children and do not know what i would do if i caught a predator.Thank you for such a great effort in what you do.

Stephen clayton St Petrsburg,Florida (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 2:43 PM)

How about an update show on guys like the "cancer doctor" Maurice Wolin? I wonder if he lost his job, if he's still married, etc...

Adam S., Spartanburg, SC (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 2:55 PM)

It is scary to think how many are still out there. What else is being done to catch these twisted and sick people? Do local police have the resources to set up their own stings? Are they committed to this?

John, Houston, Texas (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 2:58 PM)

Hey Dateline, you can use my house to do a sting!

Adam S. (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:01 PM)

I think this show has opened up the eyes of many people. A predator, pervert or child molestor does not have a face of a monster they are ordinary people with careers and what is most frightening is that some of their careers deal with children on a daily basis. I would like to thank the staff at Dateline for having the courage to make a series on this. Many would think of it as Taboo, but no one ever said anything would be easy, only that it would be worth it. Thanks again.

Shadia, Fort Bragg, NC (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:03 PM)

I have followed this show closely and I am outraged at what Patricia Conradt had to say at the council meeting. She actually mentioned the word execution. She is serious denial about her perverted brother and she needs help. I wonder how she would feel if someone like her sick brother was after her teenage son. I think whe would feel different. She called the show an "out of control reality show" and that is just not true. The show has kept many sex crimes from happening. Patricia needs serious psychological counseling since her brother was too ashamed to face his crimes and bailed out on her - she should be upset with him. Denial is a seriious problem and it will slowly kill her soul - please get help for it

Laura Louisville, KY (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:05 PM)

Whoa......that councilman went over the top! I guess I don't see why he's so upset.....unless he has bones rattling in his closet. So far, the stings have two benefits....maybe not benefits if you are a Murphy city official. #1. It has nabbed a ton of preditors #2. It has put Murphy on the map

Dave, MO (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:07 PM)

I am watching from Barbados, West Indies and I DO NOT miss an episode! I even had my two sons watch with me so that they can understand the dangers of the internet and about predators on the whole. Please continue this series for as long as you possibly can so that many more people can have their eyes opened to the realitlies of life in the age of the internet. Your program is impacting people all around the world and NBC must continue this as a public service....please. Many, many thanks.

Wendy, Christ Church, Barbados (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:07 PM)

These child predators are in dire need of exactly what Chris Hansen dishes out. And from an entertainment standpoint in the midst of an extraordinarily sinister situation, I commend Mr. Hansen for getting in some barbs "for all of us" on these guys. Case in point - the man from a week or two ago who indicated he was religious. Chris' response: "in the chat, you indicated you wanted to blank your blank with her blank and then blank your blank it again. Where exactly in the bible does it say that - the Old Testament or the New Testament?". Love it. The problem is these guys have a false sense of security because all of it unfolds, in the beginning, behind a computer screen and a keyboard. I'm glad to see that States such as Texas have ammended laws so they actually START right then and there. Keep up the great work.

Mark, Rocklin, California (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:09 PM)

One of the problems and dangers that comes to mind is that a man will commit suicide the way the DA did. While being a predator is beyond low, I hope that you are careful in screening who you show and who you don't. Once caught, however, and once their rights are secured, including the right not to appear on TV, I have no problem with what happens to them. I wonder whether your intervention stops them from committing worse crimes than statutory rape. I hope so. Pedophiles don't do well in treatment, sadly. They are frequently recidivists, something shown by the number of people who show up after watching your show.

Karen (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:13 PM)

Great job, I wish, you could do a progran in spanish chatts , It has to be a lot of them too.

Yolanda Delira, Dallas Tx (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:13 PM)

I would love to see your show come to Indianapolis. This city is so full of perverts its amazing. You have always come close, but never here. I would be happy to see you arrest some of the individuals that claim they are law abiding citizens.

christina-indianapolis (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:14 PM)

Your shows should be required viewing by all students 11 and over. These kids need to see what kind of 'men' are coming over, and these slimy creeps have to be punished! Obviously, the possibility of jail time and having to register as a sex offender isn't enough to stop this behavior. Thank you for making this problem so public . . . keep it up!

Nancy, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:14 PM)

As a mother, I am terrified at how many people are caught doing this and even more terrified about how many people aren't caught. I thank you for your show and how it is shining a bright light on this topic.

Jaime Nicholson, Killeen TX (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:16 PM)

Special thanks to Chris Hansen for this most informative program.I admire you confronting these predators that are lose in our society looking for the next prey - our children. Thank You and keep up the good work. Do come to Palm Beach Florida. After watching the episodes, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if many here are living double lives while living extravagant lives. Videos of your program need to be viewed in PTA meetings nationwide. The abuse of children must stop. Protecting the innocent and exposing the criminals is right on!

Liz McCoy, North Palm Beach, Florida (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:21 PM)

I have two young daughters, and I just recieved a township letter that a sexual offender moved 2 blocks from us. I don't believe these monsters can be rehabilitated, I mean the whole country knows about your show and these guys keep showing up, that just showes how sick they are. they should be permanently kept away from society.

bill, champion, Oh (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:23 PM)

I'm included in the long list of people who would love to see you set up a sting for these creeps in my area. There is no lower life form. When I was volunteering in the court system some years ago, I read the confession of a child-rapist who said his victim had solicited sex. She was a two year-old wearing a "Love Me" t-shirt and she touched his leg as she toddled by.

Jamie C, Eugene, OR (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:24 PM)

I love this show. I have a 12 year old daughter that has friends on Yahoo messenger and I check it everyday to make sure no one is on there that I dont know. I make her watch the show with me so she knows how serious this is. Keep up the good work.

Jennifer Johnson, Dublin OH (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:29 PM)

Laurie, Buffalo, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:29 PM)

I love the show and am glad these persons are being dealt with and punished. To prey on young people like that is beyond words. Thank you Dateline and continue the great work!

Charles, Morgantown WV (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:30 PM)

I love this show.I have my kids watch it with me.They are glued to the screen.It's so scary as a mother to see all these men who are after young teens.My kids enjoy being online and I think this show reinforses what I've been expressing to them about preditors that are out there. Keep up the good work !!

Stephane,Redding California (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:31 PM)

Yes! Come to Buffalo. We have members of a local school that were found to have pornography on their school owned laptops. Buffalo should be one of your next stops! Wait until the snow is gone!

Laurie, Buffalo, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:31 PM)

It's sick thinking these men look like people we see everyday. So they coudl be anybody we know. Just sick. Keep up the great work.

Nav M, Long Beach, Ca (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:32 PM)

PLEASE, keep up the good work; these RATS need to learn a lesson! It sickens me to no end when I see them SWARMING to the Predator houses, loaded down with booze, condoms and excuses. I am a dad with 4 little girls, God help the vermin who snoops around my house - I have a .45 and a shovel - I'm SURE nobody would miss these creeps.

Sean Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:34 PM)

I wish I could watch your show more often, but to be honest, it gives me the creeps and makes me so mad at the same time I can't handle it. Thank you for caring about the children of our communities. However, I stand strong that the best way to protect our children are active parents and aware adults all around.

Larrisa, Cincinnati Ohio (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:35 PM)

I don't understand why the main stream media disapproves of this type of investigative reporting. It would appear to me that the folks that are against this are the same one that do this type of crime. And Why is the main stream media neglecting to talk about the President of the ACLU getting caught with child porn, and don't forget this is the same guy who wants porn in our public library, tell me he doesn't have a hidden agenda, goes to show what Chris Hansen is doing is Simply Awesome. We know that the main stream media would keep all the info from us. Rock on Chris !!

Troy in Orlando (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:36 PM)

I love your show and am amazed at how many men got caught on camera and it scares me to think that the number we see on your show is just a small amount of the others that are still out there. Good Job.

judy w (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:36 PM)

The comments regarding the councilman, particularly the ones insinuating he has something to hide, are kind of sick. This is how a well-intentioned activity becomes a witch hunt, where guilt no longer matters and suspicion is enough to condemn. I live in an area where a lot of TV and film crews work and let me tell you, I don't care what their subject matter is, having a TV crew in the neighborhood is an ENORMOUS pain in the rear. They are rude, pushy, and obnoxious. I do not doubt that was part of the problem here.

Jason, New York, New York (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:37 PM)

Chris, Thanks for your "To Catch A Predator" series. I don't think you'll ever run out of places for future stings.Everyone's ready to volunteer their homes. I find the "excuses" these men give for why they've come to see the decoy a riot. However, what they've tried to do is no laughing matter. It's amazing to see them "sober up" when trying to explain their actions to a police officer. Most of them cry, as well. If you do any follow-ups (the trials, arraignments before judges, attempted defenses, etc.) that would be very interesting television.

Wendy King, New Orleans LA (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:38 PM)

Please come to pennsylvania sometime soon! id love to watch, great program, i think it does the job very well, its great to see these perverts lives end on tv! you can use my house if you wanna come to lansdale pa, just nw of philly.

B.Smith lansdale, pa (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:42 PM)

This is to the people who decide which of these responses are chosen. You are only letting one side of the arguement be shown. WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF THESE PEOPLE CONSENTING TO BE ON TELEVISION. I HAVE A SUSPICION YOU PEOPLE HAVE DEALS WITH THE STATE TO LOWER BAILS AND GIVE MINIMUM SENTENCES IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR CONSENT TO BE ON THE TV SHOW. Now I am sure this has deterred many people from doing what these animals have been caught doing. However, you are helping these people out of the punishment they so knowingly deserve. Air the show a couple times and let it go. As "journalists" you have a responsibility to tell the entire story; even the part that doesn't make for exceptional ratings. What is the benefit for these peoples public humiliation? We have a right to know!

Hunter, Jacksonville Florida (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:46 PM)

sure wish you all would come to austin,tx ..we could use the help here in austin,tx,,thanks for a great show and a great public service...gregg russell ,austin,tx

Gregg Russell (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:50 PM)

The level of stupidity shown among these criminals is staggering. In light of the sinister severity of their intent I feel that the families of those convicted should be made to pay for the incarceration and rehabilitation, not the taxpayers. Divert our monies to fund more projects like this one. If we catch a repeater we should only confirm their identity and crime then take them out front of the decoy house and shoot them. I bet the other pedephiles would step right over the carcasses of the others to get in for their turn. If it really is a "sickness" they cant control, why put faith in rehabilitating them? SOmewhere someone is going to have to explain to their own daughter that society tried to keep that man from hurting you but he "acted like" he was better but he hurt you just the same. You all are doing a GREAT JOB I only hope you will be able to continue for as long as it takes.

Jason Guzauskas, Danville VA (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:50 PM)

Enough already! It's fine that you guys are putting the clamps on these creeps. But its like shooting fish in a barrel...they're so addled and screwed up that it seems that ANYONE could get them in a sting. How about focusing on something more insidious and difficult - domestic violence against women, illegal weapons, and any of a hundred serious violence-related crimes on the rise in the US? Oh...I forgot...violence is "boring" now.(thanks to Hollywood.) And its a lot more problematic. Much easier to simply trap idiot sexual predators...because, well, anything to do with "sex sells advertising. Our cultural schitzophrenia over sex-related issues is calling the tune. Sorry guys, the Predator schtick is bordering on hysteria. Why not get out of the way, stop hogging the spotlight, and law enforcement do its job. The cops know how to nail these people. ...Time to focus on more urgent problems facing society.

NineNotes, Kansas City, MS (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:52 PM)

Right now there are sexual predators chatting with teenage girls and it's perfectly legal. The person will be using sexy language that belongs in a porn movie. What's more the girl will encourage and respond to that. The reason that the guy gets away with it is that his chronological age is 17 years old (even though he may have the mindset of a 50 year old man), and the girls may be 12, 13, 14. I don't know about you, but when I was in high school (73-77), for a junior to date a sophomore was practically pedophilia. And even among high schoolers, we all know there were people who "matured" faster. I mean, some sophs looked like they were thirty years old with a full beard or chest hair or what not! Today, it's different. There's a broader span in age dating. And opinions on what's right or not vary. In Canada for example, the age of consent used to be 14. In Romania as well. I hate to say it, but I feel a little sorry for the predators. I think many of them want to enjoy the same privileges as the 17 year old "predator". And they may have a more young attitude in which older women are just too dreary for them. Yes, there should be boundaries, but remember at one point it was illegal for a white to date a black.

John Bailo (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 4:01 PM)

You're show is wonderful.. More stings should be set up to catch these sickos.. I would love for my kids to watch to see how it is easy it is to be victimized but I would cringe having them hear the explicit transcripts. Can that raw 'stuff' be left out so kids can see it. I think it is more important for our teenagers to see this than the parents..Keep up the good work.

JoAnne G, Long Island, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 4:03 PM)



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