Predators

Predators are people (men in the show) who allegedly engaged in sexually explicit online communications with decoys portraying themselves as girls and boys between the ages of eleven and fifteen. Each predator reportedly made plans to meet their intended victims and ultimately traveled to a stinghouse location for this purpose. Men who have only hit on decoys are called “suspected predators” or “potential predators,” whereas those who have victimized children or adults sexually are labeled as bonafide “predators.” Predators of all professions and ages have been caught on the show, ranging from the young and unemployed to the elderly and successful. Some predators are also repeat offenders, and others absconded, fleeing before or after going to trial. A few predators are religious, often using their religion to try and excuse their actions. Many are in the Military and try to use war as an excuse for their actions. A couple are of Public Safety aswell and often use their law knowledge and authority to try to avoid being charged with crime. Even more horrible, some predators are educators or doctors. Other predators have since died. These predators were found in many cities and states and featured in several episodes of To Catch a Predator, Hansen vs. Predator, and Takedown with Chris Hansen.

This category includes some individuals who were acquitted of the charges related to attempting to meet minors for sex or for whom the charges were ultimately dropped. Some suspected and bonafide predators were required to register as sex offenders, whereas others were not required to register due to the charges they were eventually convicted of. In the United States, alleged criminals are innocent until proven guilty. Those individuals who have not been convicted of the charges related to their activities documented in chat logs and other media should be considered innocent. However, they are included here because the legal proceedings involving them (including the evidence offered as proof of their guilt) are a matter of public interest.

In infrequent instances, Chris has been able to track down and contact predators years after their stings and offer them the opportunity for an interview, with varying levels of success.

The information provided in the wiki on these men is only for research and curiosity. Even though all data has been aggregated from public sources, it should not be used to contact or harass in any way, as engaging in such actions can lead to legal and criminal action in the states where these individuals reside. There have been several side series starring Chris Hansen after TCP on NBC. One was Crime Watch, and the latest that is still airing is Takedown, streaming on Tru Blu.