I found this over at Jeffrey Weaver’s blog, My Words, and have to admit, find it quite shocking. The article is lengthy, so I’m not going to post the entire thing:
Texas official: ‘Amateurs’ tainted the charges; alleged criminals walk free
The Associated Press
MURPHY, Texas - A sting in which police teamed up with “Dateline NBC” to catch online pedophiles was supposed to send a flinty-eyed, Texas-style warning about this Dallas suburb: Don’t mess with Murphy.
Instead, it has turned into a fiasco.
One of the 25 men caught in the sting — a prosecutor from a neighboring county — committed suicide when police came to arrest him.
The Murphy city manager who approved the operation lost his job in the ensuing furor.
And the district attorney is refusing to prosecute any of the men, saying many of the cases were tainted by the involvement of amateurs.
“Certainly these people should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, but the fact that this was all done for television cameras raises some questions,” said Mayor Bret Baldwin.
It is the first time in nine “Dateline NBC: To Catch a Predator” stings across the country in the past year and a half that prosecutors did not pursue charges.
(MSNBC.com is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.)
“Dateline” has made prime-time entertainment out of contacting would-be child molesters over the Internet, luring them to a meeting place, and videotaping their humiliating confrontations with reporter Chris Hansen.
“Dateline” works with an activist group called Perverted Justice, which supplies adults who troll Internet chat rooms, posing as underage boys and girls, and try to collect incriminating sex talk.
City manager Craig Sherwood approved such an operation in this well-to-do community of 11,000 after being approached by “Dateline” and Perverted Justice, but he never informed the mayor or the City Council.
He said secrecy was necessary for the sting to be effective. Read more…
Apparently the leaders of this uppity community are getting cold feet as they realize how many perverts may be living among them. Does it make me feel bad that an established citizen of a nearby county killed himself? Not really. I’m trying not to sound too harsh, but this guy was soliciting under aged boys on the internet and then attempting to act on his urges. Truthfully, I think it is terribly sad for his family, but not such a bad deal for society as a whole.
What do you all think?
Open Trackback weekend over at Angel’s Place.
Comment posted by wytammic
at 7/2/2007 9:37:25 PM
Hi Velvet,
Yes, I agree. It’s disgusting how perverted so much of the world can get.
Comment posted by velvethammer
at 7/2/2007 9:31:37 PM
From what I have seen of the show, there are some men well into their 30’s and 40’s. One I noticed was even older!
Those are the worst of the worst. IMHO
Comment posted by wytammic
at 7/1/2007 4:04:59 PM
Hi Angel,
You are certainly welcome. Jeffrey’s blog is very interesting.
Comment posted by Angel
at 7/1/2007 12:11:16 PM
hiya Wy!..I agree with Kevin too…how Godawful!
thanks for the link hun! 
Comment posted by wytammic
at 6/30/2007 5:39:08 PM
Hi TT,
I wonder why they don’t pursue stings with the police pretending to be younger children. I certainly do not condone sexual relationships of 15 and 16 year olds with men in their 20s. Yet, I do understand your point. You may want to dig in the archives to find this post when your daughter reaches that age though — and ask yourself if you really said that. 
Comment posted by totaltransformation
at 6/30/2007 5:31:24 PM
“One of the 25 men caught in the sting — a prosecutor from a neighboring county — committed suicide when police came to arrest him.”
I saw that, it made for great T.V.
As for Dateline’s “To Catch a Predator” show I have mixed feelings. Some of their methods are quite, umm, how should I say, dubious. A good defense lawyer could get half those cases thrown out without breaking a sweat.
What is my problem with the show? I have no problem when they catch some scum ball 50 year old trying to pick up on an 11 year old. However, I did feel bad for the guys in their early twenties who were talking to 15 and 16 year olds. I remember when I was 14 and 15, a bunch of the girls I knew were dating marines in their early 20’s. I hated those dern marines too…lol.
It is like the case involving that 18 year old who went to jail for sex with a 16 year old. We need to draw a line between true pedophiles (people who desire to have sex with children) and those who pursue young adults. While the latter might be contemptible and disgusting, I don’t think their actions should be criminal. Maybe I will change my mind in 12 years.
So I guess I would be happier if the cases on to catch a predator all involved actors posing as 10 and 11 year olds- not 14 and 15 year olds.
Comment posted by wytammic
at 6/30/2007 12:34:33 PM
Hi DI,
Gee thanks — you make us blush We do love that Tieki and miss her greatly now that she has ventured off to DC for 6 weeks. I thank God for cell phones, email, instant messaging, etc … for being able to stay close. It’s a way different time from when I left home way way back when.
Oh, and we really cannot take all the credit for how she turned out. We always asked God for wisdom in raising her, and He provided. He’s a good God
Comment posted by Defiant_Infidel
at 6/30/2007 10:50:39 AM
Ditto what Kevin (the Nazi… heh…) said. I don’t believe in suicide as being a God forgiven act. However, if this scum did it, he did it because he knew how corrupt he was and how exposed he was about to be. He knew he was abhorrently wrong! Even his suicide was a selfish act to protect himself from dealing with prosecution. In his case, his last act was some measure of gift back to society. Think of the legal twists and public cost to keep him alive, healthy and to attempt to “rehabilitate” him that he has now spared society. It is sad for the family whether he is alive or dead… nothing changes there.
Happy weekend to you both.
PS: That is one incredibly fine daughter you and the Mr. have raised, Tammi. Huge pride is deservedly yours!
Comment posted by wytammic
at 6/30/2007 7:03:51 AM
Hi Kevin,
I just love being on the same page as you
Hope you and yours have a fantastic weekend.
Comment posted by Kevin
at 6/30/2007 12:24:54 AM
Oh dear. I am going to let my cold side show again. A child predator killed himself? ALL GOOD! Like Tammi I agree it’s sad for the family, but it’s so good for the world that I’m willing to discount that.
What you’ve reported is a travesty, wytammic. This is a crime that is many times worse than murder imo. This should be considered a crime second only to treason.
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