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A lawman visits the ‘Predator’ house

Posted: Tuesday, March 06, 2007 2:01 PM by Dateline Editor
Filed Under: , , ,

by Chris Hansen, Dateline Correspondent

As our “To Catch a Predator” investigation in Flagler Beach, Florida continues, you’re going to see something we don’t experience very often. It’s hard to imagine, but we had an active duty member of law enforcement arrive at our hidden camera house after an extremely graphic online chat with a decoy posing as a 13-year-old girl for nearly a month.

We didn’t know it at the time but 41-year-old Todd Spikes was a police officer for the Florala, Alabama Police Department.

He drove more than 300 miles from his home in northern Florida to meet the girl he thought he was chatting with. For awhile we weren’t sure he was going to actually show up. He didn’t call or send an online message for hours.  Then he called the decoy to say he was in town. We scrambled into position just in time to see Flagler Beach police arrest him. As if it’s not scary enough that a lawman would engage in this sort of behavior, wait until you see what police found in his car. There was an arsenal including an assault rifle that was loaded and chambered next to the driver’s seat of Spikes’ SUV.

Before the night was over we’d find out a lot more about Spikes and what he had stashed in his car and hidden in his pocket. Spikes has pleaded not guilty and his lawyer has suggested he had the weapons as part of his job. He’s been fired from the Florala P.D.

Part 2 of 'To Catch a Predator' in Flagler Beach, Fla. airs Tuesday, 8 p.m. on NBC. Click here to read a transcript of the show and to watch the show online. 

Editor's note: Tomorrow, in another hidden camera investigation, Dateline demonstrates how people might react when they see a potential crime being committed. Watch some surprising and jaw-dropping moments that will show you how a criminal can steal your car, your priceless antique... and even your child... right in broad daylight. Read more about 'Wild Bill: Breaking and Entering.'

 

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Comments

I guess no one checked his background record when he applied for his current job. How many other wacks are employed in that police dept??

Mike Potter (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 2:18 PM)

This is despicable, you would be surprized how many people are internet predators. We have to do more bacround checks in order to stop these men going into the squad. I was speechless when I saw this, Chris Hanson is my hero!

RJ Gildea, Fort Collins Colorado (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 2:50 PM)

YOUR SHOW IS SO FANTASTIC AND NECESSARY TO EVENTUALLY GET THIS NONESENSE STOPPED ON THE INTERNET. GOD HELP THOSE KIDS THAT IT HAS REALLY HAPPENED TO. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK

JUDY ADAMS, O'FALLON, MO (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 3:10 PM)

I just love this show!!! The more these creeps are exposed the better. They are sick individuals. Keep up the good work in trying to keep our children safe.

Domonica Esgar, Pueblo Co (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 3:23 PM)

What is happening to all the preditors that you catch? Are you going to follow up so that the public will see if they have been put in prison so that this whole sting is not a waste of time? I saw the one creep that you caught two times. A lot of good it did to catch him the first time if he was back on the computer so quickly. Let us know the outcome of this program please.

Kay from Ohio (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 3:24 PM)

This is truly a sad example of who we'd like to think of as a 'protector' of the people (especially, our children). If parents, teachers, reglious leaders, politians, and law enforcement are not going to protect our children, please tell me WHO?

D. S Sutherland, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 3:53 PM)

How does your effort at finding predators contrast with entrapment? thank you

frank fitch (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 3:53 PM)

This show is "so old" already. Get rid of it for crying out loud

jane doe, los angeles CA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 3:59 PM)

It is so sad that the reality is becoming such that we cannot immediately trust people that we come into contact with. I never thought that I would have to treat people as "guilty until proven innocent ".

Ignacio Valdivia, Northridge, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 4:42 PM)

These high-powered guns and ammo in his SUV may have been part of his job (now ex-job) with the Florala, Alabama, PD, but why would he bring them with him to his rendezvous with a "minor" girl he'd met online? I'll be interested to hear his explanation for that one. Thankfully, the Flagler Beach PD arrested him before anything else happened.

Wendy King, New Orleans, LA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 4:55 PM)

How is it that a officer can be caught in such raids, everyone has seen these episodes by now, you would think that they (law officers) would definitely know what can happen, I am not condoning his behavior in any way shape or form but what is going on in this world, I believe this shows just how prevalent the crime against our children is, and how many are so very ill to put not just themselves but their families at risk with that kind of behavior. I never would have believed it had I not seen it with my own two eyes.

Olga, North Lauderdale (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 4:58 PM)

I was married to an LEO. It was very insightful being within the loop of the LEO family. As with any job, there are good and bad. From what I saw during my marriage, the bad in law enforcement tends to be worse, because they know how to foil the system more often than not. A sad commentary. That being said, there are still honorable LEOs out there, so be careful to not paint them all with the same brush.

KC Brown - city withheld (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 5:01 PM)

Chris, you are doing a great job. It boggles my mind what kinds of people are potential predators! Keep up the good work!

Kathy Ray, Billings, Montana (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 5:39 PM)

Creeps come in every color, size and occupation apparently. Makes me glad I never had any children. This world is just too gross for words and the Internet is bring out the worse in men. I would imagine they are pretty much washed up after being exposed on national TV. What surprises me is that most of them are married with children.

mary, westmoreland city, PA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 5:45 PM)

I cannot believe that there are still idiots out there doing this. Do they not watch TV? I guess if a person is sick enough, it doesn't matter what the potential consequences are.

Jeff, Marion, North Carolina (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 5:57 PM)

That's a scary, scary guy! Thanks to perverted justice and Dateline and the cops for catching him. I wonder what he's done before that he hasn't been caught on yet.

Lisa, Bothell, WA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 6:04 PM)

Anybody completely disgusted yet? I am. The scum that have been arrested on this show include teachers, clergy, military, a District Attorney, and now cops. Who do you trust anymore?

Brian, Sacramento CA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 6:46 PM)

i would like it if dateline could do a show in phoenix AZ here please consider my plea. Thank you

Estrella Rodriguez Phoenix Az (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 7:05 PM)

Isn't it obvious? Cops consider themselves above the law. They also frequently consider themselves judge, jury and executioner. I would rather face a criminal than a cop; at least I would have a chance with the thug.

j alexander (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 7:13 PM)

i always thought police officers carried guns with them at all times. After the L.A. bank robbery dont they always need firepower.

atlanta (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 7:28 PM)

Of course, catching someone in law enforcement is pretty scary. But unmentioned in all of the previous Dateline episodes is another scary observation. That is the apparent multitude of under age persons chatting on the internet, hoping to meet the very predators that Dateline has exposed! Where are the parents, guardians, babysitters, etc.?

Steve Presberg (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 7:34 PM)

To catch a preaditor is a great idea and i think that you should come to Grand Rapids MI and film on the north east side. I have seen with my own eyes a man in my neigborhood speak with a young girl about haveing sex with him but with no proof i could do nothing.

Neal B Grand Rapids MI (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 8:20 PM)

This show is stupid. What do you expect when you take some computer nerd posing as a 13 year old girl looking to chat with older males? Obviously if you put a bait in the water, all the fish will come to it and try to take a bite. If a real teen girl has some sense she wouldn't invite strangers from the net to her home. I think this show is purposely trying to find these men and bust them, just for ratings. How sad! By the way, I am an 18 year old girl who has been in chatrooms, and any girl who uses this nasty talk with men is looking for trouble. It's called BEING SMART and USING COMMON SENSE! duh.

Aalia Des Rochers, Victoria BC (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 8:30 PM)

Hooray for this show, I hope you will continue to do more shows. More cities should do this on a weekly basis, you would "never" run out of adults that want to take advantage of kids!!

Bernard Purnell, Fort Wright, KY (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 8:33 PM)

Really do appreciate what dateline is doing, but you really should have your own show. I'm know there are sick guys out there, but I'm at the point where I don't watch your show because it's the same thing over and over. Can you at least break it up and put some other reports on at least once and awhile.

Sally, Toronto, Canada (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 8:39 PM)

Each man that shows up at these houses represents a CHILD that has been protected by Dateline, Perverted Justice and the local law enforcement. BRAVO! I wish you could do this all day long every day and in every state in the Union.

P.J. Kirby (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 8:42 PM)

I THINK ITS PRETTY BAD WHEN PEOPLE WE PAY TO HELP PROTECT OUR CHILDREN ARE ACTUALLY THE PREDATORS!! I KNOW NOT ALL COPS ARE BUT IT MAKES U THINK. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

KATHY, MURPHY, NC (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 8:46 PM)

Is this not yet proof enough that these guys will ALWAYS be out there? Then, when some suburbanite mother is on the news screaming that some perv managed to meet her child through the net....I think at that point every parent in that situation should be instantly arrested for child neglect and endangerment. Thank you SO much for making this known to us just how casual and common this practice is. By now, there is NO excuse for ANY parent when their child is taken advantage of over the net and thus in person. Its clear, at least to me, that these children were very unsafe even before meeting a predator online; the safety factor is an issue in their own home.

Rich Falk, Missouri (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 8:49 PM)

That shows you in this country you can't trust anyone talking online. Parents please be careful with your children. I think Chris does a great job, but they need to be harder on laws as well.

Michael, Bentonville, Arkansas (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 8:52 PM)

HORRIFYING!!!!! Thank-goodness it was a decoy and not a child that attracted and met this man. This a a wonderfull project to catch these awful people, keep up the excellent work!

Cindy Dolowy, Chehalis, Washington (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 8:55 PM)

My only thought would have to be; What is the Screening process to become a cop?

Ryan McCormick Chelsea Michigan (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 8:57 PM)

OMG The mere fact that grown men are chatting with young girls and the vulgarity of how they are speaking with them. But a police officer? That is just the worst. We teach our children to trust law enforcement -that they are there to protect us. There is no way he could defend himself with the I didn't know... defense. These people need therapy.

Kym- Mid Ohio (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 8:59 PM)

This man should get the book thrown at him. Police officers are supposed to protect and serve. Thank God no one was hurt by this man that night.

Kathleen Minnuies, Athens, TN (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:01 PM)

It is scary to think that your neigbour or friends or someone related to you could be a predator to a child. It is bad enough when it is a adult but child are to be protected not vilated( sorry spelling mistake) It would be nice if something like Dateline was here in Ontario Canada in the toronto area. We need this as well. keep up the good work Dateline and go get them !!! Donna from Toronto Canada

Donna Doe (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:05 PM)

I thank God that Dateline, Law Enforement and Preverted Justice are trying to protect our children from these monsters. I am taken back when I hear of people saying "don't bring these predators to our town"! Get a hold to reality. These predators would come to your town if a child had been online. I am thankful that someone was there to stop the pain of a child. Thank you and please continue the efforts to help protect our children. I also agree that parents need to continue the efforts of being invovled with their children lives both on and off line.

Paula of Linden TN (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:06 PM)

I WOULD'VE NEVER THOUGHT SOMEONE THAT HIGH UP ON THE TOTEM POLE WOULD ACTUALLY LIE LIKE A RUG, THEN LIE ABOUT THE LIE ITSELF!! I LOVE AMERICA! IT JUST MAKES KNOW THAT WHEN I GO TO COURT FOR TRAFFIC, OR WHATEVER I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE LYING TO THE JUDGES FACES. I THOUGHT LOW DOWN, THUGGISH, AIMLESS NOBODIES WERE THE ONLY ONES NOT FOLLOWING THE SET RULES AND GUIDELINES OF AMERICAN LAW POLICIES. I DON'T TRUST ANYONE ANYMORE, ESPECIALLY GUYS IN SUITS WITH AMERICAN FLAGS ON THEM

jilla folks, joliet, il (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:10 PM)

Thank God for Dateline's Predator busts. Maybe you could add some shows featuring the (normally) lenient treatment these pedophiles get in our justice system. These are not all first time offenders but they keep letting them out over and over again to do more damage. Too bad you can't catch every single one of them.

Kate Perez, Mount Airy, Maryland (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:21 PM)

The police officer should have used better judgement and be in counsling. He didn't think hard enough about being killed by inmates in jail because that's exactly what he'll get. What a waste he is to this world. Our children are at risk. They are taught to trust law enforcement.

Ladona,Arlington,TX (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:22 PM)

keep up the good work and with the police department in Florida. i don't think these guys will ever smarten up to go oh thats probably dateline,but obviously they are like the one that said have you seen that dateline sting, then he came anyway, all i have to say is they are sick and i hope that you don't quit running this story, because of you catching the ones that you do may save a real 13 yr old somewhere. keep u[ the great job, but i am sure you are as sick of these guys as we are but don't stop i think you should change states until you have been in all 50. thanks again for what you do. come to my town and you all can set up in my house for free.

patti robinson skiatook, oklahoma (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:23 PM)

Mr. Fitch, Dateline, Perverted Justice and the local law enforcement DO NOT participate in entrapment. They do not solicit these men. They post a profile (bait) and the men (fish) strike. It's the same principal as johns and prostitutes. Your question seems strange. Are you trying to wrangle a defense?

P.J. Kirby, Conway, Arkansas (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:24 PM)

Chris Hansen has done a great service,Though I wonder why Police depts accross the country dont have a sexual predator unit ready to strike.Although as i saw tonight police can be predators themselves,Wow its scary!!! Chris I would like the series to focus on the elements of the psychological issues of these individuals and whether they can ever be helped to correct their morally depraved compass.Parents protect your kids! hey they should also have predator units at water parks,city parks, malls. when a man or for that matter a women glares at a child for too long that should send up a RED flag.The eyes covet what one seeks

Sam (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:27 PM)

I find it concerning that there are individuals who we as a society raise our children to respect and trust, prey upon our children. It makes it difficult for a parent to teach respect for other adult authority, if that authority is less than righteous. Th world has become a haven of child predators: strangers, teachers, and family members. How do you protect your child in todays world? It is not like a parent can keep them locked away from the world?

KBlack Tulsa, OK (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:29 PM)

ms Victoria BC, it's obvious you still have alot of growing up to do, you should thank these people. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DATELINE.... I hope all these people stay in jail forever because i want the communities to be safe for my children....

jane doe,indianapolis, indiana (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:31 PM)

When are you naive people going to understand that this show is about ratings and nothing about predators. How many 13yr old girls are really willing to meet with an old man? My guess is very, very few. If they weren't getting good ratings this would never be on tv.

mike (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 10:00 PM)

Chris, what you are doing is remarkable, I watch your show most times but do these predators get help once they are busted. I have 2 lovely girls and I would be mad if something like that ever happened to my daughters.These desperate men need help.A few months in jail is not going to cure them.These scoundrels need long term punishment.

Alan, Bowden.Alberta Canada (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 10:14 PM)

Chris, We need something like what you do in Canada

Alan, Bowden.Alberta Canada (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 10:15 PM)

I am so happy Chris Hanson and Dateline are doing these shows. I would love for you to come to Colorado Springs and set up a sting. So many people in this town are convinced that, because we have this conservative image, that we wouldn't have these predators in our community. I think they're wrong and would love to see it play out on TV.

Anneliese, Colorado Springs (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 10:27 PM)

I live in Florala where Todd Spikes worked as a cop. I knew him and would have never suspected he was a sexual predator. Believe you me, we do have screening processes people go through before they are given a badge and entrusted with public safety. I work at the local newspaper in Florala and can tell you the majority of our officers are fine outstanding men who truly want to make a difference in the community. Each day these guys put their lives on the line for very low pay because it is a calling not a job. People forgive when the predator is a preacher, teacher, or politician but seen to want to judge a whole proffession on one bad egg. The screening process is not perfect and sure some slip through but thankfully when they do slip through other officers are honest enough to take them down when they violate the trust of the public. Most officers take to heart their promise to protect and serve. Don't judge an entire occupation on one man's downfall, look for the good ones, they are out each day so you can sleep at night and feel safe.

Jan Allred, Florala, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 11:47 PM)

I grew up in the town where Todd Spikes was employed. The town is small southern town on the AL/FL border. He is not orginially from there he lived in Defuniak Springs, FL. But I will say this Florala Police Department is very questionable. It seems that some shady characters have been employed there. I know police officers that flirted or had relationships with high school kids. Its like some kind of power tirp up there. They enjoy following and harassing law abidding citizens. The people of the town have complained but nothing is ever done. They get a slap on the wrist and are back out on the streets. The political system up there is a joke. The mayor is a joke, he is unreachable and its his way or the highway. I feel bad for the town, and I'm glad I left.

J. Lane Florala, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 11:52 PM)

Please continue these shows. American fort, Utah would be a great place to do a future show. I am so happy that these creeps are being exposed. The general public has no idea how many sick men are out there looking for the next little girl. Thanks Dateline an Mr. Hanson

T-,Las Vegas,Nv. (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 11:55 PM)



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