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Do potential predators ever think they’ll get caught?

Posted: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 8:50 PM by Dateline Editor
Filed Under: ,

By Chris Hansen, Dateline Correspondent

The fireman
Tonight we’re back in Ocean County, N.J., for the second part of our "To Catch A Predator" investigation. Among the first men you’ll meet here is a guy who uses new ruse to convince a 14-year-old girl named Jane to let him come over to her family’s house and have sex. Jane is really a decoy from Perverted Justice.

In his online chat 42-year old Rick Burnham pretends to be a 21-year-old college student going by the screen name "uconnbluenwhite". Then he introduces "Jane" to his older friend "stevetakespix" who supposed to be a real cool guy who just happens to be interested in taking the virginity of a 14-year-old.

We think what he’s trying to do is not scare off the young teen by giving his real age in the beginning of the chat. As you watch Burnham walk into our hidden camera house, he’s just driven three hours from Connecticut. Watch as it appears he want to get right down to business. He chats with Casey, our decoy, for a bit and when she excuses herself to go to the next room, he’s right behind her. As I walk out to talk to him, we almost bump into each other.

That’s when I see something sticking out of his back pocket. When I ask him what it is, he says it’s his cell phone. I know it’s not a cell phone so I say: "No. The other back pocket." As you’re about to see, the item he pulls out leaves little doubt about his intent. Burnham, by the way, is retired fire department captain who says he’s now a freelance photographer.

Grooming technique
We’re about to see another man who makes himself comfortable on the beach of our multi-million dollar home on the ocean. James Marcott, 32, doesn’t seem one bit nervous as his sits down to talk to our decoy posing as a 13-year-old girl. Perhaps he has experience talking to teenagers.

In his on line chat he told the decoy that he had earlier met a 15-year-old girl online. Watch now as he tells Casey that not only did he met her, he also had sex with her. When I talk to Marcott, he changes his story, saying he never had sex with a 15-year-old. Why would someone say this online?

Experts tell us it’s a common grooming technique used by potential predators. Almost as if to say: "It’s ok. Other kids you age have already done this." But in this case it’s going to be another lead to be followed up on by detectives with the Ocean County Prosecutors Office.

Everyday guys
Once again, we see just how many of the guys who surface in our investigations look like everyday guys who don’t stand out of a crowd. If you live in Pennsylvania, you might have even purchased a car from one of our next visitors.

When we meet 39-year old Jeremy Keister he has a job selling luxury cars. Watch as Keister walks into our home. Something spooks him right away. He almost freezes. I think it may have been when Casey offered him some brownies that something clicked and he maybe realizes he’s just walked into a "To Catch A Predator" investigation. All doubt is removed when he admits he knows exactly who I am. He even says: "It’s nice to meet you."

Head first
You may have seen last week’s preview to tonight’s show, where we showed video of one of our visitors who went head first into the bar in the family room of our hidden camera house. People have been asking me about it all week. Tonight, you’ll see the whole story.

The man I’m talking about is 37-year-old Kazuo Akustso. When we meet him he’s a shirt-and-tie salesman at a major Manhattan department store. I have seen a lot during the three years we’ve been doing these investigations, but nothing quite like this. Kazuo walks in, chats with our decoy Casey, and then I walk out. What you don’t see on camera is that the color literally drains from his face.

I can’t be sure that he knew who I was or what he has just walked into, but he knows it’s not good. He goes down on his knees, gets back up and then apparently faints, crashing head-first into the bar. A medic comes in to check him out. Later police say he’s OK.

What were they thinking?
As we finish up in New Jersey, consider this: nearly half of the 28 men who surfaced in this investigation had seen one of our earlier investigations. What does that say to me? Some people have suggested that some of these guys want to get caught, perhaps maybe even want to be on our show. Possibly, but I still think most of these guys just really don’t think it could happen to them.

Click here for the script to "To Catch a Predator" New Jersey

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Comments

Oh yeah. To the other people who doubt this show, saying that is doesnt do anything. Thats bologna. For everyone of those predators that said i knew this was a dateline show. Im sure there was double that amount who thought about the show and didnt continue on to procede with the decoy. And for obvious reason you wouldnt have a 12 year old in a room but her self with a 45 year old + guy. DUH!!!! no explanation needed. Plus there ton of 18+ year olds who are online they can chat with.They predators wind up incriminating them selves. They knew it was wrong. How can you say its bad or anything. Its a good thing. Your the same people who would wind up saying how come there arent any shows on this if they didnt have one. If i was the judge, and i knew the decoy was 19 but potrayed a very passivle 12 year old, and stated she was and everything that went along with it. I would still send them to jail just because of the oddness of it. sorry i cant elaborate anymore on that since im on my lunch break. keep up the great work. Add some more twist to it.

J.Nelson New York City, now OHiO (Sent Thursday, August 09, 2007 3:13 PM)

arggg another comment...to the person who said the real predators dont sit behind a cpu? THATS B.S. Its 2007!!! Yeah the real bank robbers dont pull up in dress suits looking like the mafia and shoot up the place and take a bag full of money anymore. Its 2007. there behind the cpu. You people doubt how powerfull onlining is. Times change. people change.

J.Nelson New York City, now OHiO (Sent Thursday, August 09, 2007 3:16 PM)

Having seen all of the Dateline shows about predators, the striking thing I see is that this series could be done every week like 'America's Most Wanted'. Also like 'Cops', you could be in multiple states, and multiple cities, each week, and have enough material to sustain such a series for several seasons before the flow of criminals might slow down. A sad reality in modern America.

Kevin, Royal Oak, Michigan (Sent Monday, August 13, 2007 4:41 PM)

To whom it may concern,

How can all of these people in the other messages say that this is entrapment and they think that these men should be given another chance. The truth of the matter is most of these guys, once there given a chance, will most likely go out and do the same thing again. Only this time they try to be a little bit smarter because they know what lies in store for them. So i believe if you or stupid enough, or willing to continue chatting with someone who u believe is 12-14 then you deserve to be caught and publically humiliated. I guarentee the people that wrote those stupid comments earlier probably don't have any kids and if they do don't really care about them. That or either they're predators themself and if that's the case then you need to be arrested and publically humiliated yourself. So to Chris Hansen, Dateline NBC, and everyone who work at Perverted Justice thank you. Please ignore these haters mails and keep doing what you do.

Jay, Fallbrook, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 1:37 AM)

How can people be against this show???  I think this show is awesome! So what if half of it is about viewing points.. The Real point is.. these guys get caught, get humiliated (thank gosh), and [hopefully] learn a lesson! I'm glad these guys get arrested on national television.. their families should be aware of it and be more concerned about their children more than ever.  Imagine if there weren't any stings like this.. Do you really think he'd walk away from his 2 hour drive to your house to meet your young daughter? No. He'd do it again if he was already given the first time.. leaving the young victim with mental abuse and the fear of being attacked again.  So why would anyone be against these stings?? This is about spreading the word to your children and to other concerned parents and families!
Chris, you're doing a great job getting these guys nervous and sweatin to their knees! It's sad.. although hilarious at the same time because you think.. I can't believe this guy has kids of his own!
Chris, I'm prayin for you man.  With so many reports you've covered on on "To Catch a.. ", I'd be concerned with my security if I were you.
GodBless.. and can't wait for the next installment!

Irene, Texas (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:09 PM)

Just want to tell you I think your show is great! What I want to know is what in the world is wrong with theses people who disagree with it..  They must be just as sick as these grown men who are behaving this way..   Its not “their right” these are children that we are talking about!   And for those people to say that “there has been no crime committed” Is BS!  Its called intent! So what if it was a real 13 year old girl who’s parents weren’t home.. Its ok that they would have had intercourse with a child? Look at the one man who got caught not just once but twice?!? These people are sick and need to be taken off the street..  Obviously, they don’t learn..  and Look at the man who had kids the same age.. honestly … he probably molests his own children..  and maybe they should be taken away from him.  It just sickens me that any grown man or woman to interfere with a child!  What is wrong with our society?  I think that it should be a minimum of 5 years just for Trying  to do this… and if they get caught again.. just put them out of their misery!  Its just appalling!  And for all of the people who Don’t  see anything wrong with this.. maybe YOU all need to be check out, because there is obviously something severely wrong with you as well..
Thanks for doing this! Get these sick bastards off the streets!

Amber Colorado (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:56 PM)

I love your show and would like to say "Thanks". It does really bother me that the predators do not get more time for their crime. Shame on the judges. As a child, I had a lot of "men" to try to have sex with me and I know the long-term consequences. They stay with you forever. I would like to see you do a show in Alabama. I do wish you would do more shows and have it clearly on your website when a new "To Catch A Predator" is going to come on. Please kep up the great work. These men will NEVER stop trying to molest little children on their own!! They should be sent to prison and never get out.

Susan, Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, August 14, 2007 8:32 PM)

What no one is looking at is that this behavior is completely NORMAL... throughout history, men have sought out young women - a woman was considered a woman at 13 for thousands of years, until very recently. Men took "girls" as wives in the Bible, for all you bible bangers out there... the fact is, girls start becoming sexually capable - and sexually attractive, around 13-14 years of age. I'm not saying that I think men should be going around having sex with random 14-year old girls, and I do think young women are not necessarily mature enough to deal with sexuality - and I am glad our society is sophisticated enough that we don't condemn 13-year old girls to a life of laying back for old men and squeezing out babies with no choice in the matter. But the idea that all of these guys are just sick, twisted, abnormal perverts obscures the real issues and dehumanizes people. These guys are for the most part, *normal* males who would jump at the chance to have sex with a young, fertile woman. They DO need to learn to deal with their desires in a constructive manner that is appropriate for society and not harmful to others. These shows seem to be just gleefully creating an "other" to be a scapegoat for societies' problems. Many 14-15 year old girls seek out older men for sexual attention, because it is their biological imperative to do so.  We should be interested in teaching them appropriate sexuality, and why it is important to delay sexual gratification until they have developed maturity. These men are not monsters, but they seem unable to control their desires and deal with them appropriately.

Chris, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, August 15, 2007 1:16 PM)

CHRIS,

GREAT SHOW, LOVE WHAT YOUR DOING, BUT. WHY DON'T YOU TRY TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM FROM BOTH ENDS. FIND THE KIDS THAT ARE DOING THIS AND SET DOWN WITH THEM AND THEIR PARENTS AND HAVE A LITTLE TALK.

BA  DALLAS,TX

BOB A. DALLAS,TX (Sent Wednesday, August 15, 2007 4:02 PM)

Hello everyone.To Chris Hansen and his group- I say God bless you, and this effort. I would just like to add that there are also predators in places most people including parents, might not think to mistrust- and they are the worst danger t our young people. People in churches, who are usually always very good at talking to, and encouraging young people- while at the same time preparing the most vulnerable ones for the attack that will come, sooner or later. They usually single out the one who has family problems, and feels alone. their showing interest in listening is just this pedophile's way of preparing the child to trust them enough to make their move. It often could be a trip to the store, or even a gropu camping trip- something like that, after they are sure that the parents are not onto their "Game". I say trust no one, be vigilant- and remember the attacker could be someone who has worked his way into your trust, and the child's. Be it someone at Church, a relative, or a neighbor. Beware. I was molested in a hospital, while in a coma- and raped violently. How did I know if I had been raped, when I was in a coma? By the way my bodily functions had changed, as though brutalized- and I'm sure I was.

Nan Ockletree (Sent Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:06 PM)

Interesting that in communities where there is severe punishment for bad behavior there is little bad behavior.  We have become a permissive society without providing the necessary tools to be successful.  So, let us either put all these creeps on an island with their own kind and drop supplies in occasionally, or keep them at home but with castration.  That slows down misbehaving cattle, horses and other domestic and wild life.  If men can't be civilized, let us treat them like barnyard animals. Even cats and dogs protect their young better than these creepy humans.

Further I am very disappointed that these comments  are not being monitored as indicated.  The profanity and ugliness of the posting of waetsu, noyb, noyb on 7/25/2007 exceeds the bounds of decency.  It is far beyond an educated opinion and should be eliminated.

NF, Modesto, CA (Sent Thursday, August 16, 2007 1:11 AM)

I think your show is a hoax, and the men are actors.  I appreciate your intention to discourage men from trying this, but I don't believe anyone is dumb enough to fall into this trap, and I know kids are smarter than to invite a stranger to thier home for sex. Please explain why you wait until the men are outside to arrest them with 10 cops in riot gear with guns drawn screaming get on the ground, get on the ground? Why didn't you just arrest them when they were in the kitchen? It's a dramtic over kill. If it is real, where are the men that actually make contact with real kids? Either kids aren't as stupid as your decoys, or real predators are smarter than your actors. Come clean NBC. It's a hoax.  

Bill, New Jersey (Sent Thursday, August 16, 2007 7:38 AM)

Hey Chris if you're the one reading this I would like to know how or if I could become a member of your perverted decoy staff. I am 20 yrs old and look younger than my 13 yr old brother. I love your show and would really like being a member of it.

Amanda Rawson, Mesquite, Tx (Sent Thursday, August 16, 2007 3:21 PM)

Hi. I just wanted to say that your doing a wonderful job. You should definitly come to Seaside Heights. I couldnt even give you a solid number of how many "sickos" are in this town.

I know this may be consider attacking others commments but this is to waetsu, noyb, noyb.
Its a proven fact that there are more serial killers, rapist and petophiles that are men than women. You rarely ever hear of female petophilia. And as for murder. Woman only kill for one of two things Love and/or Money.

Janis Seaside Heights New Jersey (Sent Thursday, August 16, 2007 8:38 PM)

Mr.Hansen                                                      I just want to say thank you for everything that you and everybody else do to catch these sick people grown men thinking they can get away with wanting to have sex with 13yr olds keep up the good work I think you and law officals are doing a hell of a good job you have my support

Mikey B O'Fallon Mo (Sent Saturday, August 18, 2007 3:17 AM)

OMG...people...you don't really know what entrapment is do you???  Entrapment is when a "minor" (cop or decoy) entice the pervert.  Like if a teenager were to bring up the topic of sex, or be the first to intiate meeting.  In the case of the cops talking to the predator, the predators are the first to initiate the conversation, the first to iniate the meeting, the first to bring up the topic of sex...SO THERE IS NO CASE OF ENTRAPMENT IN ANY OF THE CASES THEY SHOWCASE!!  Please do your research and find out the meanings of the lingo in which the officers use befor you stat your opinion on entrapment.  

Tiffany, Oak Harbor, WA (Sent Saturday, August 18, 2007 12:34 PM)

Have you ever thought of flipping it around? Luring teenages there and letting them know what kind of danger that they are puttin themselves in by going into those chat rooms and trying to meet older men?

K (Sent Saturday, August 18, 2007 3:28 PM)

I love this show, chris is doing a great jobm as is all the people involved. I cant thank you enough for the jobs you guys/gals do. This men on the show are sicko's, and they should never see the light of day, i would hope, they all go to jail, for a long long time. God bless

Richard Kaminski (Sent Saturday, August 18, 2007 7:01 PM)

This is a great thing MSNBC is doing, my question is why they are not taking it to the next step, a much worse problem, guys going over to the Phillipines to have sex with underage girls over there. There is nothing in place over there to prevent it and if they bring the girl over here when she is 18 we do nothing...I don't think MSNBC has the courage to report on it. Any thoughts

Chad, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Saturday, August 18, 2007 7:18 PM)

I am so greatful that Chris Hansen is taking these worthless peices of scum off of our streets. As a mother of 2 young children I am discusted to see so many predators living among us.  Not only can this show catch the bad guys but it will also make them think twice about doing anything.  Thank you Chris and Thank you Dateline.

Ana, Miami, Florida (Sent Saturday, August 18, 2007 7:23 PM)

As a mother of a twelve year old girl, I must say that your show is a nothing more than an exploitative rating grab.  All you're doing is promoting a paranoia that makes it seem that some sort of monsters are flooding every corner of society, waiting to prey upon our children.  It's doing much more harm than good!

My daughter watched part of your show and laughs.  She thinks it's ridiculous.  Luckily she's got a good head on her shoulders.  She would never arrange to meet a stranger for sex.  It has NOTHING to do with age.  It's just dumb.  Raise your kids people!  Don't praise these terrible shows that do nothing but exploit people who have serious mental problems.

Connie Bodenstien (Sent Saturday, August 18, 2007 7:24 PM)

Hi Chris-
I can't understand HOW these Guy's can even THINK
they can get away with this stuff-  The guy that
you caught 2 times in 24 hrs..... WOW!  I think
the NET. can be a dangerous!

MATT FICOCELLO HAYWARD WI (Sent Saturday, August 18, 2007 8:03 PM)

Chris Hanson is my hero.

These shows are riveting.  I can't stop watching.

Sanders, it started with television.  That they took the extra step and coordinated with the police and Perverted Justice is to their credit, so they could help stop these molesters.

The reason to have it on television?  In spite of the one idiot who returned, it is discouraging and educating potential molesters.

Good work, everyone.

C.Cole, Portland, Oregon (Sent Saturday, August 18, 2007 9:11 PM)

I think you should do this in every city....but you have to think about it, if these predators are smart enough to use the net, witch is so easy for them...what about the ones that don't have the internet...they are still out there looking for ways to get at our kids. Never stop doing this, you have already saved many kids. And the predators will never stop showing up. I fear my daughter may fall victim someday because they never give up.
And as far as intrapment goes thats a bunch of crap...I cannot even go in a chat room titled sewing and crafts, without pop up after pop up from some sickO trying to send pic and talk about sex, and my profile says I'm 44. No chatroom topic is what it says it is, all the chatrooms are full of sickOs. What your doing is great ...and now that you know whats going on out there in cyber space, now that you started you can never stop. Keep up the great work and expand your operation...Thanks to date line and Chris Hansen

Angela Madonado Southgate Mi (Sent Saturday, August 18, 2007 11:29 PM)

I am a father of 2 and I was told about your show.I watched it and was stunned by the people you have interviewed and the stupidity of them.I cannot see why men or women would have desires for a child.This is sick too see but I am glad they are being filtered out of society and handled by the judicial system.I monitor my children when they go online but I am told by my kids that they also look for it online.
If adults are online doing this illegal stuff and being arrested for it,why is it young under age kids are allowed too experiment and play sexually online and not be criminally responsable?Its good to catch an adult preditor but if children preditors were taken offline,then that could solve the problem also.

Denis (Sent Sunday, August 19, 2007 12:33 AM)

Chris, you rock man.  Your show is something that this sick world needs to see.  I just wish that our justice system was like it used to be back in the days of the old west.  If we had punishment that was open to the eyes of the public I think that these perv's would do something more constructive with their time. I unfortunately know one of the guys that was caught by perverted justice.  Ken Hanna is his name. I served with him in the United Stated Navy.  You wouldn't believe the number of sick perv's that are serving in our military.  It gives us real veterans a bad rap.  I think that you and all of your crew are doing a great job and I hope that the message gets out to those people who feel the need to mess around with todays's children.

RIchard, Chesapeake, Va (Sent Sunday, August 19, 2007 12:59 AM)

You can't charge someone with "Attempt to have sex with a minor" when a MINOR ISN'T INVOLVED. The decoy isn't underage and so no crimes are even committed. In the meantime, MSNBC studios let child predator Jack Mcclellan sneak out freely with security when he was going to be issued a restraining order after an interview by MSNBC. Talk about hypocrisy. (Should have a show about getting illegal aliens off the street)

Mike, Reality (Sent Sunday, August 19, 2007 1:25 AM)

Dear Chris Hanson,
    I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude for you bringing "to catch a predator" to the publics eye and forefront of our thoughts.  It's hard to believe there are so many predators out there... it's scary.  I was just curious if there were some upstanding people out there that tried to do the "right thing" by discouraging or reporting the "decoys'" as at risk minors.  I was also curious if there was anything in the works to "catch a female predator"???  Again, bravo!!!! ... in your work with the series.  I'm a committed watcher, a concerned parent, future teacher, and mentally/morally stable adult.
Respectfully,
Scott J. Faucher

Scott J. Faucher, Pace, FL (Sent Sunday, August 19, 2007 3:32 AM)

I think that alot of these guys are just victims of an absolutely rediculous show of alot of decent guys getting there live's ruined on national television.  We need to go after violent people, if your daughter is like 14 or so and shes into meeting guys online and wants it that bad chances are its going to happen no matter what. These people are fighting a STUPID WAR that they will never win. What should be the focus of america is rapest and terrorism. People out to physically harm another human being by force needs to be the primary objective of law inforcement.

Alex Radanski (Sent Sunday, August 19, 2007 4:53 AM)

I was watching the show tonite and couldn't help wondering how many of these fellas commit suicide after their 15 minutes of shame.  Obviously many have families, or rather had families before the show, and one guy on the show actually said he might kill himself.  
Maybe Chris can give us some follow-up statistics during one of his cut scenes during the show on how these guys are doing with life(or without life) after their debut on dateline. If we're gonna go reality tv Chris, let's go all the way!

K. Jamison (Sent Sunday, August 19, 2007 5:02 AM)

While the content of this show is of the utmost seriousness, I cannot help but be entertained by the constant parade of humanity that walk into your sting ops, only to have their lives fall a part on national TV.  While it might seem wrong taking joy in the misfortune of others, I do take joy knowing that these men are removed from society (at least temporarily) for everyone's benefit.

Dan Lazarus, Gilroy, CA (Sent Sunday, August 19, 2007 7:12 AM)

I watched several of the “To Catch A Predator” investigations in a row one night. I have never been able to watch them in prime time. I will get straight to the point. Chris Hanson, please, do not feel sorry for these perverts. During one of the segments, Mr. Hanson stated he felt somewhat sorry for these men. Do not waste one second of sorrow for these men. These men feel no sorrow for their victims, I assure you. Their horrific acts are meant to please and pleasure but one person, themselves. How these acts effect their victims never registers in their sick minds. He/she liked it, asked for it, needed it...whatever their sick, perverted minds need to say to make it alright for them to commit these sex acts. I am somewhat of an expert in this area. I was sexually molested from the age of 11 years to 17. This was many years before the internet, but it was not different, just ask me. The "grooming" was probably even sicker and more perverse then because the victim pool was smaller and a greater "investment" was needed by the perpetrator to get and keep his victim under control to fulfill his sick pleasures. He could not just jump to the next "chat" to pick his next victim. But for that brief moment, I was very impressed with Mr. Hanson's interview abilities. Pooling the resources of Dateline, the Perverted Justice, and local law enforcement is brilliant. A stop in every city at least once would not hurt. Keep up the good work!

Ann Helms, Baton Rouge, LA (Sent Sunday, August 19, 2007 4:42 PM)

Ok, Kathy, in New York, what's the matter with you that you think this is OK? I know plenty of "red blooded" young men who would not be interested in a 14 year old and would certainly be able to control themselves even if they were interested. Dateline is providing a valuable service and bringing many predators out in the open. I am the grandmother of a 17 year old and I think about these sick men out there all the time wherever she goes. The world should be a safer place but it's not. Thanks, Dateline for doing your part!!!

J Contreras, California (Sent Sunday, August 19, 2007 5:20 PM)

If it has been mentioned already in this blog forgive me...It takes two to tango the old saying goes. It is not that there is an epidemic of "predators" out there. It is the combination of these two trends and technologies:
(1) The breakdown of the family unit in America. Both parents away, leaving children in the home alone to do what they want.
(2) The internet in general and specifically the introduction of sites like MySpace, Youtube, etc, etc..along with high speed connections to permit sending private photos and video from one's home.

This situation is unprecendented in history. Never in history has there been a situation where there could be a collection of people of all ages congregating together and allowed to say whatever they want to each other with any consequence AND have at their disposal ANY sort of vile and pornographic material at their disposal to send. Imagine having a retail store on the corner of your local town with every type of pornagraphy,fetish and violent material for sale and open to the general public ...all ages. Now imagine big signs plastered right in the front window for everyone to see as they walk by..." teens having sex", " anal explorations" , "Sex toy pleasures". Now imagine another sign " All ages welcome...Teens get in for free". You get the point I hope.
Do you parents realize that with a computer, a camera and a high speed connection your 15 year old daughter can become a "porn star" from her bedroom? These individuals (the predators) are appalling piles of human filth to be sure, but what about looking at the other side of the story? Why not go into any "Mature" chat room ....on AOL, Yahoo, MySpace, etc..and wait for a 14 year old girl to come into the room. It will happen frequently. Then wait for her to turn the conversation to sex, again, it happens frequently. Get HER name and address and confront HER AND HER PARENTS. Ask her why she does it and how she is allowed to do it.
I liken the current internet and its associated collection of various web sites to leaving a bomb with a hair trigger on the street for someone to come along and trip. Until they completely revamp the internet (something that is being considered at this time) it is on the backs of parents to police what there children are doing on their computer in the privacy of their home. Maybe if you did a story on the victims of this type of behavior you might help parents to identify whether or not they have children who could be in a position (mentally, physically or whatever) of vulnerabilty to this behavior.

St Paul, Mn (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 10:05 AM)

Chris, what you do is so great. I have teenage children. I wish you would consider coming to Louisiana. Because we live in a small town, the children think these things couldn't go on here. Even with me telling them, these things happen everywhere.
Keep up the good work!

Sarah, Louisiana (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 10:42 AM)

Hi I love the Show. I think It is time to really start getting these perverts off the streets and behine Bars. my Questions is, is there Ever a time where you felt like hitting any of the predators. Just wondering. Also when are we going to see a Women get caught.

Jon Petrosky, Manhiem PA. (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 3:42 PM)

Thank you Chris, for catching our worst fear when it comes to our children, people like them need to help our growing children instead of distroying our very young...getting touched and tortured isn't doing anything for them...I have nieces and nephews that depend on people that inspire, when they see people like these...these, thieves in the night that bring horror to our society...it hurts them, i know now that we need to watch our children and what they do with their activities...computers are every where, we could start by doing what a parent has the right to do and monitor their young...thanks again chris for all your hard work and dedication that you have been putting on for us to be aware of whats out there.

LA, McLaughlin SD (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 12:10 PM)

I love to watch dateline. Dateline has exposed many
sexual predators. Thanks Thanks.... Our country needs more people like Chris Hansen. Chris you do your job with such professional guidelines. Thanks for doing your job right and for catching these men. You have put men behind bars and also saved a childs life from being damaged forever.

Bonnie-----Vermilion Ohio (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 3:28 PM)

I AM APPALLED AT SOME OF YOUR LETTERS!!! TO THINK DATELINE IS LURING THEM- PLEASE!!! DATELINE IS DOING YOUR CHILDREN A SERVICE. I COULD CARE LESS IF BEING EXPOSED RUINS THEIR LIVES, AS FAR AS IM CONCERNED, THEY NEED TO BE LOCKED UP FOREVER.  YOU SICK PEOPLE NEED TO ASK YOURSELF HOW YOU WOULD FEEL IF SOMEONE MOLESTED YOUR DAUGHTER OR GRANDAUGHTER. I CANNOT COMPREHEND HOW YOU CAN FEEL FOR THESE SICK THINGS THAT ARE LESS THAN HUMAN.
AS FOR CHRIS HANSEN, I CAN'T THANK HIM ENOUGH. I ONLY WISH HE COULD DO THIS DAILY---CATCH THEM ALL,LOCK THEM UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY.  YOU PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THESE SICKOS CANNOT BE REHABILITATED.  CHILDREN ARE THEIR SEXUAL PREFERENCE. SO ALL YOU PEOPLE PUTTING DOWN THE SHOW, FEELING SORRY FOR THEM, SHAME ON YOU AND HOLD ON TO YOUR KIDS FOR DEAR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TARA WILSON, morongo valley, california (Sent Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:56 PM)

Chris Hansen deserves the Pulitzer Prize! An amazing look into the dark heart of sexual pedophile predators who look just like regular people. No monsters, just the guy next door. As the father of two young teenage daughters, I watch every episode with them, and I think it's sinking in that they can never trust anyone they don't know, and never post personal information on the web. Chris, I salute you!

Dave Simon, Phoenix Arizona (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 2:35 PM)

WOW!!! so to all the people hating on this show from the comments below you guys cant be serious. there is a big purpose of this show and it does work. it intimidates people from going online and getting humiliated on tv and thats good enough for me rite there. this is a GREAT example about the police man with all those loaded weapons on him as he walked in and in his car what do you think could have happend there??? he had a m4 assualt rifle and a bunch of pistols all LOADED AND OFF SAFETY ready to fire he was not authorized to carry all those weapons. the purpose of this show is to show america how many of these sick people are out there. THESE GUYS WERE ABOUT TO HAVE SEX WITH A GIRL OR BOY THAT SAID THEY WERE 13! is that to much for you guys to comprehend??? if you guys dont have anything nice to say about this show then go comment on all the other 50 bad shows that are on american television they deserve it this is one show that doesnt deserve any of that negative stuff. keep up the great work you are making a difference

kyle, seattle, washington (Sent Wednesday, August 22, 2007 11:11 PM)

All you people who think this is entrapment need to get educated about the legal system before making such statements...nobody forced them to do what they did - these guys will go to jail.  Also, those folks who said that these guys didn't break any laws don't know what their talking about also.  Again, I say these guys will go to jail for their "attempt" and "intent."  I have great concern for the folks on this blog who make these kind of statements and think you all need to see a mental health professional.  If youre stupid enough to get "lured" out to meet a underage girl or boy for sex, your dumb ass needs to go to jail.  I think Chris Hansen, his crew, and the DA office is doing a great job and should continue.

Heath Humble, Shreveport, LA (Sent Thursday, August 23, 2007 9:40 AM)

Chris,  my e-mail has been flooded recently with phony letters from Nigeria and other parts of the world.  SOme so heart wrenching that many non-suspecting people will be taken.  Maybe you could warn everyone that there is a new push on with these people...It's not just me receiving them as my friends tell me the same is happening to them.  I think you are a God send and I hope you continue to get them.

Many thanks,

Jean Darragh

Jean Darragh, Pacific Grove, CA (Sent Thursday, August 23, 2007 4:07 PM)

From all indication, Chris Hansen and the MSNBC staff are not intimidated by the name-calling of some of the respondents.  What they are doing is a good thing.  Those men show up at those houses, on the beach, at the park and any other place that they feel will afford them the opportunity to molest someone's child.  One would think that from some of the criticism they are receiving that they should be more considerate of these men's families and friends than the predators are. Some viewers are screaming entrapment.  Based on what?  Interestingly enough, not one individual who has been caught up in the stings has been heard on TV using that excuse.  The idea of using the excuse of entrapment for any of these would-be molesters is nullified when their own actions lead them to the point of being arrested.  Entrapment by definition is:  to lure into danger, difficulty, or a compromising situation.  To lure into performing a previously or otherwise uncontemplated illegal act.  When grown men are sending pictures of their private parts and giving details of what they will do/would like to do to what they believe to be children, it is they who are trying to lure what they believe to be an underage child into a very dangerous situation. Case in point: the rabbi) Quite clearly their actions show that time has been spent, and is being spent contemplating the illegal act of sex with an underage child. This notion of entrapment is without foundation. There is no entrapment. It was pointed out that predators are in the parks, etc., waiting for the opportunity to molest children.  It's true, but through the work of Chris Hansen and MSNBC, it is being shown that they are all over the place.  So catch'em where you can!  Because some of the less offensive dialogue is read on the air, what Chris does has been termed disgusting.  What this program is doing is not disgusting.  What is disgusting is that anyone would try, in any way, to defend the behavior of these predators, who when caught, have no problem with claiming not to have done anything.  (Case in point: the cancer research doctor).  Which leads me to another thought. Perhaps  some of these men's families aren't all in the dark when it comes to their behavior.  When he called his wife, he said, "Honey, I'm in trouble".   Nothing in his conversation indicated that she asked, "What kind of trouble?".  Whatever her response, he told her not to bring the kids.  Of course it's a bad situation for any family member, but it's the predators' fault, not Chris Hansen's.  The time has long past when we should have rid ourselves of the "shoot the messenger" mentality. How anyone can try to blame someone else for the actions of  the man who chose to kill himself is out of the range of my comprehen-  sion.  Any man or woman who targets a child for sex is a coward.  It was he who made the choice to take his life rather than face public reaction and his possible punishment.

Joyce Penn, Richmond, CA (Sent Thursday, August 23, 2007 9:57 PM)

THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN TO ALL THE PERVERTS OUT THERE LOOKING FOR YOUNG GIRLS AND BOYS TO SATISFY THEIR SICK MINDS. I LOVE THE SHOW AND WOULD LOVE TO HELP OUT ON THE COMPUTER TO GET THESE PEOPLE LOCKED UP FOREVER. I LIVE IN IOWA AND IF EVER I COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR SHOW WOULD BE GLAD TO HELP U OUT ANY WAY I COULD.

CAROL HEABERLIN NEVADA IOWA 50201 (Sent Thursday, August 23, 2007 11:43 PM)

Dear Chris,

As A mother of an 11 year old girl I cannot thank you and NBC enough.  In my opinion your show is the most imformative educational program that every parent needs to watch. Every program that we watch almost in horror the men, especially in EDUCATION that show up to your "houses"....because your program I would like to see added to their background checks a polygraph test.  I as a mother would like to know if my daughters tacher has chatted on line 'ever' with and underage girl or boy.
The only thing we need to fix now is removing the judges that give these men suspended sentences....any expert in the field of pedophille's
will tell you these men cannot be cured. Please do  show about our legal system that puts these men back on the streets to commit crimes agianst our children.
Remember the man that drove over 400 miles to have sex with a 13 year old girl and you found that he had been given a speeding ticket by the CHP? If he is that dangerous 400 miles from his house just imagine what he could do in his own neighboorhood?
Chris, email me if you ever need a volunteer.
I applaude you.  

Juelee Russi, Carmichael California (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 12:03 AM)

Thank you guys for catching these perverts. Forget the negative comments here, they have no idea what it's like for the victims of predators.
There's no way these men or anyone else can defend their actions, no way!

anonymous ohio (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 9:05 PM)

When you guys put the shows on the tv, I was wondering. Do you guys have to ask these people if its okay to put their face on tv? I like to watch your show seeing as how Im a 17 year old girl. I could never imagine what these people think..

Mary Lange, Spanaway, Wa (Sent Saturday, August 25, 2007 4:55 AM)

I think what your doing to help potect our kids is great. I wish someone would of thought to do this years ago. As a mother of 2 girls and 1 boy and 2 step daughters and 1 stepson I worry about preitors. You need to come do that in my area......... Great Job Please keep up the good work

k twine , Hemet Ca (Sent Saturday, August 25, 2007 10:45 AM)

As a single Mom there's nothing better than to know that there's one show in this world that is here to fight crime.
Thanks Dateline and Chris, please keep up the excellent work!

Indhira, Humble TX (Sent Saturday, August 25, 2007 10:56 AM)



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