1-Jan-2025 – Conclusion

New Year Update (2025)

I first created this website back in 2017 (30-July-2017 was the first post). I tracked widely publicized internet child sex stings from around that time (~2015 – 2022 and some in 2023) until 2023. About 7 years, give or take. What I noticed and still notice today is that they continue and they are increasing. An obvious contributor in all that is the OJJDP ICAC Funding which continues and of course has increased in 2023 and perhaps 2024 even though the country (government) is overwhelmed by debt. In addition to law enforcement led stings there has been a rise in vigilante group stings (People v. Preds or groups with Predators in their name). Certainly, another way to collect views and get some easy money via you tube and other ad revenue. A few maybe doing things correctly but most are not. Those that are doing things correctly will disclose their tactics and won’t be on any adult or dating or hookup related sites trying to bait/switch, scam anyone. In the past couple of years many of these vigilante groups have handed cases over to law enforcement who begins the prosecution process. Cases continue to rise year over year. Eventually things will slow down and change but it will take a large embarrassment and of course removal of the monetary incentive.

Entrapment – USE IT

Most, if not all of these, rely on Entrapment as part of the sting process. In Washington state, State of Washington v. Arbogast, pretty much settled the matter allowing entrapment in the lower courts. Yet I’ve seen two similar cases in 2023 get denied the entrapment argument for their cases! They are in the Appeal process and will be decided before the end of 2025 of course, after the individuals have served at least 18 months in prison. Even though Arbogast won his Appeal he decided NOT to go back to trial and tempt fate but rather took a plea that landed him back in prison for another 6 months or so before being finally released for good. Entrapment is a good and valid argument and should be considered and argued for anyone going to trial at State or Federal levels. Our case, back in 2019, prior to the Arbogast decision, was also denied entrapment.

Punishment

Every state is different in how they punish these internet child sex sting cases. In comparing WA and OR on will find someone in WA gets a sentence of 5-7 years (trial or plea) where someone in OR gets at most 18 months and more than likely 30 days jail time. But at the end of the day both end with Felonies and sex offender registry requirements affecting ones living and job aspects indefinitely. In WA one is more likely to end up with Lifetime CC and in Oregon, 36 months of probation time. There is rarely a good outcome. Over the years I’ve studied over 300 cases in WA State and talked to over 100 individuals or families going through their situation. About 10% of the cases end up with a “reasonable” plea offer – still a felony, still registration but no prison and limited jail time. Only about 2-3% get dismissed – and usually before the trial. Only about 1% don’t get registration / felony in their plea offers. The 85% of others are punished severely with lengthy prison terms. Something to keep in mind if you or family member or friends are caught up in one of these stings. They will have an 85% chance of a bad outcome – please set expectations accordingly (you are almost certain to lose). Federal cases are the toughest, the charges all face a mandatory minimum with the Enticement charge that is used. These cases move FAST in the court (often only taking 3 days, sometimes less). I haven’t known anyone to win at federal and everyone gets that 10-year minimum or more. Plea offers are usually terrible at 5 to 7 years. In Federal they will only take the case if they know they can win; you are pretty much ascertained to lose unless you have that Entrapment argument and/or can show law enforcement is lying/using questionable tactics.

Investigations

I’ve seen cases win with Public defenders as well as high priced attorneys. The one area where you get your money’s worth is in the upfront discover and investigative services or forensic investigation. This is key – upfront investigation. Getting all the discover, getting the phone dump, getting all the text. Making sure all evidence is there and not mishandled. Look for discrepancies, deleted or not included items. If it benefits you odds are the prosecutor/law enforcement will try to withhold that. Things like recorded videos (interrogation), or phone calls or text chats or e-mails that are missing. Going to trial and planning to win in the appeal stage is a very bad strategy. Out of the 60+ trials I’ve followed this win in Appeal has occurred but it is in about 5% of the cases (so we have 95% losing rate). It doesn’t make sense to drag out your trial 4-5 or more years. That waste everyone’s time. Push the pace if you can; FORCE resolution within 1-2 years. It is painful to drag these on so long. One person who went through the process suggest when there was a major sting operation all those arrested were sent to jail where they can connect up. They can collude to demand a speedy trial (within 90 days) and don’t waive those rights. If they have 10-15 trials for these sting operations within 90 days, there is no way that will be manageable. It is an interesting strategy and could work but those participating will have to have Diamond Hands. It can work as you are pushing the system. The prosecutors are 100% involved in these sting operations, they are included in the decision before the stings are even conducted. In WA state we saw their names on the Sting Operational Safety Plans which were received via FOIA discovery requests. They know what the charges will be and set the pleas, bails, etc. up front.

Our Situation – Resolution

From beginning to end was about 8 years. This included arrest (2016) to trial (2019) to appeal, to PRP (2023) to a new post-conviction resolution (2024). That is a crazy amount of time to be dealing with the “Justic System.” The PRP – personal restraint petition – was where we had the most success but also cost the most money ($30k-$40k). At the end of the day the prosecution offices provided us with possibility to get post-conviction relief if we terminated the PRP. We agreed. PRP was sopped from going through the court system. The Felony A conviction with Lifetime Supervision turned into a Felony C conviction with 1 year probation (time served). The prison time of almost 4 years was already completed at this point so time served (now 3 months) was completed there as well. It brought our case to one of the 10% best plea options which should have been allowed in the beginning – back in 2016-2017 to resolve the case early. Plea offers back then were all 60 months – unreasonable. I wish diversions were offered and alternatives. Many of those caught up in these stings DO NOT deserve felonies or registration. There are better ways.

Moving On

It is time to move on. I’ll keep this site active for those researching STING operations and how to battle them. It won’t be easy. Find others going through same situation and work together. In time changes can be made. Better laws, diversions, better methods for running these stings, etc. Your voice needs to be heard for these changes to occur so don’t stay silent.