1 Peter 3:12 (NIV)
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
As 2020 draws to a close I looked back at what has been accomplished in this COVID-19 year. I figure maybe there would be less stings with this pandemic. But that isn’t the case. In fact, it appears 2020 will be a banner year for the online sex sting operations. Seems crime has been down (minus some rising hate incited by the outgoing President). If crime is down and police seem idle, what better way to increase incarceration than to go online and beat the bush to bring out the criminals. Course it doesn’t hurt that the OJJDP ICAC division substantially increased (20%) their grants to police departments in the 2019-2020 year. So the funding is increasing the stings and perpetuates what we are seeing–year after year sex sting increase. I don’t have any words of wisdom other than be careful online, especially if using a dating or hookup app or website. I can say with 100% certainty some of those profiles, especially the ones that respond quickly will be law enforcement. And they are allowed to LIE and DECEIVE you. If anything suspicious or potentially illegal comes up in the conversation bail and do not re-engage. This will help you also avoid scammers.
Getting the word out:
Convicted of Sex Crimes, but With No Victims – A NY Times Magazine article about Operation Net Nanny out of Washington State. Published August 2020.
My Son Was Caught in a Sex Sting – Not much sympathy was to be had on the Dr. Phil show in December of 2020. Peter Aiken comes in to save the show at the end by noting law enforcement are NOT catching predators and the pleas and punishment need to be re-evaluated and applied accordingly.
One Bite of the Elephant at a Time – A December 2020 Podcast (Labyrinths) by Amanda Knox and her husband covers the pain and struggle of one family whose son was arrested, tried and sentenced to 108 months as a result of these Sex Stings. He was one day away from going back to college for the semester when the rug was ripped from beneath his feet. Now he will spend almost 9 years in prison.
Continuing to Fight for Justice:
The long road to correct the injustice and unfair punishment of these stings continues. To get the word out and change the public perception about what is really going on; the infringement of our rights through these stings. Let’s be real about what is going on here and the incentives behind them. Let’s get the truth out on the table. Let’s make sure we are catching and arresting the right people and not entrapping our own citizens. And finally, let’s release those who do NOT belong in prison as a result of the questionable tactics these stings employ.
Plans based on unjust or immoral motives may bring temporary success, but enduring success must take into consideration the fourth dimension, time. Time is the enemy of immorality and injustice. It is the friend of justice and morality. (Napoleon Hill, Outwitting The Devil, p.157)
Pushing onward, - Samuel