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[[File:Ppmich.png|thumb|Logo for a local affiliate, of which there are many]] | [[File:Ppmich.png|thumb|Logo for a local affiliate, of which there are many]] | ||
__NOTOC__'''Predator Poachers''' (PP) is a US-based vigilante group founded by controversial online influencer and banned YouTuber Alex Rosen in 2019. PP is mainly known for its shocking confrontations with suspected "[[Sexual Predator|predator]]s", which are filmed and then posted on the internet. Humiliation and vulgar humor are central to the videos, and Rosen has stated that he plans his stings with this in mind.<ref name="Four">[https://fox40.com/news/local-news/vigilante-predator-poachers-come-to-sacramento/ FOX 40: Vigilante ‘Predator Poachers’ come to Sacramento.] [https://archive.is/EQH4E Archived].</ref><ref name="Seven">[https://news.yahoo.com/youtuber-2-million-subscribers-accused-213402848.html Yahoo: A YouTuber with 2 million subscribers was accused of messaging a fake 13-year-old in a vigilante sting operation]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230323190807/https://news.yahoo.com/youtuber-2-million-subscribers-accused-213402848.html Archived].</ref><ref name="Two">[https://www.insider.com/edp445-allegations-messages-chet-goldstein-youtube-removed-what-did-2021-4 Insider: A predator hunting YouTuber and a man seemingly caught in a sting both had their channels removed by the platform]. [https://archive.is/LCtPP Archived].</ref><ref name="Six">[https://www.clevescene.com/news/armed-with-cell-phones-not-badges-amateur-predator-catcher-groups-are-sprouting-up-across-northeast-ohio-33639919 Armed With Cell Phones, Not Badges, Amateur Predator Catcher Groups Are Sprouting Up Across Northeast Ohio]. [https://archive.is/zNmiv Archived].</ref> In one interview, Rosen stated: "I've been threatened with a gun — not pointed at me, but threatened. (...) It's a risk we're willing to take. (...) In the end, if you want to make the world around you better, you've got to sacrifice something or be willing to sacrifice something. There's no reward if there's no risk."<ref name="Seven" /> In 2020, PP had 14 affiliates, but had to cut to 7 due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.<ref name="Eight" /> Rosen has stated that the group (after a full two years of operation) had only 10 pending or successful convictions vs over 300 "potential predators" exposed.<ref name="Hansen">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAdvOjOQNTQ Have A Seat With Chris Hansen ft. Wes Moast, CC Unit, Alex, & Daniel Warner discussing].</ref> | __NOTOC__'''Predator Poachers''' (PP) is a Houston-based US-based vigilante group founded by controversial, anti-LGBT online influencer and banned YouTuber [[Wikipedia:Alex Rosen|Alex Rosen]] in 2019. PP is mainly known for its shocking confrontations with suspected "[[Sexual Predator|predator]]s", which are filmed and then posted on the internet. Humiliation and vulgar humor are central to the videos, and Rosen, known for his conspiracy theories and disrupting political events, has stated that he plans his stings with this in mind.<ref name="Four">[https://fox40.com/news/local-news/vigilante-predator-poachers-come-to-sacramento/ FOX 40: Vigilante ‘Predator Poachers’ come to Sacramento.] [https://archive.is/EQH4E Archived].</ref><ref name="rape" /><ref name="Seven">[https://news.yahoo.com/youtuber-2-million-subscribers-accused-213402848.html Yahoo: A YouTuber with 2 million subscribers was accused of messaging a fake 13-year-old in a vigilante sting operation]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230323190807/https://news.yahoo.com/youtuber-2-million-subscribers-accused-213402848.html Archived].</ref><ref name="Two">[https://www.insider.com/edp445-allegations-messages-chet-goldstein-youtube-removed-what-did-2021-4 Insider: A predator hunting YouTuber and a man seemingly caught in a sting both had their channels removed by the platform]. [https://archive.is/LCtPP Archived].</ref><ref name="Six">[https://www.clevescene.com/news/armed-with-cell-phones-not-badges-amateur-predator-catcher-groups-are-sprouting-up-across-northeast-ohio-33639919 Armed With Cell Phones, Not Badges, Amateur Predator Catcher Groups Are Sprouting Up Across Northeast Ohio]. [https://archive.is/zNmiv Archived].</ref> | ||
In one interview, Rosen stated: "I've been threatened with a gun — not pointed at me, but threatened. (...) It's a risk we're willing to take. (...) In the end, if you want to make the world around you better, you've got to sacrifice something or be willing to sacrifice something. There's no reward if there's no risk."<ref name="Seven" /> In 2020, PP had 14 affiliates, but had to cut to 7 due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.<ref name="Eight" /> Rosen has stated that the group (after a full two years of operation) had only 10 pending or successful convictions vs over 300 "potential predators" exposed.<ref name="Hansen">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAdvOjOQNTQ Have A Seat With Chris Hansen ft. Wes Moast, CC Unit, Alex, & Daniel Warner discussing].</ref> | |||
==Stings, and controversy== | ==Stings, and controversy== | ||
PP has conducted multiple sting operations against suspected "child predators" in the US.<ref name="Six" /> During these operations, the group, composed of volunteers, would pose as [[minor]]s on social media for the purpose of contacting and then confronting potential "predators" in real life, often while recording the encounter. Rosen said that a big part of making PP's videos was to make them entertaining.<ref name="Eight">[https://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/predator-poachers-publicly-shame-adults-accused-of-trying-to-prey-on-young-kids-08-21-2019 "Predator Poachers" publicly shame adults accused of trying to prey on young kids].</ref><ref name="Six" /> Those confrontations have included the use of racist language ("Nigger"),<ref name="Six" /><ref name="Seven" /><ref name="Two" /> the use of real minors as decoys,<ref name="Two" /> verbal attacks<ref name="Six" /><ref name="Eight" /> and deliberately instigated fights.<ref name="Six" /> The group is also known for its confrontation with online influencer Deyione Eason (known online as ''EDP445''), causing controversy resulting in PP's suspension from [[YouTube]] for the second time, as well as for Eason.<ref name="Seven" /><ref name="Two" /> | PP has conducted multiple sting operations against suspected "child predators" in the US.<ref name="Six" /> During these operations, the group, composed of volunteers, would pose as [[minor]]s on social media for the purpose of contacting and then confronting potential "predators" in real life, often while recording the encounter. Rosen said that a big part of making PP's videos was to make them entertaining.<ref name="Eight">[https://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/predator-poachers-publicly-shame-adults-accused-of-trying-to-prey-on-young-kids-08-21-2019 "Predator Poachers" publicly shame adults accused of trying to prey on young kids].</ref><ref name="Six" /> Those confrontations have included the use of racist language ("Nigger"),<ref name="Six" /><ref name="Seven" /><ref name="Two" /><ref name="rape">[https://fstube.net/w/jLRjbV9edyr5aJAxeVgfkt FST archived video of vulgar language in use]</ref> the use of real minors as decoys,<ref name="Two" /> verbal attacks<ref name="Six" /><ref name="Eight" /> and deliberately instigated fights.<ref name="Six" /> The group is also known for its confrontation with online influencer Deyione Eason (known online as ''EDP445''), causing controversy resulting in PP's suspension from [[YouTube]] for the second time, as well as for Eason.<ref name="Seven" /><ref name="Two" /> | ||
Aside from conducting sex stings, the group has also produced videos and livestreams on social media, where its founder uttered racist slurs, including while prank-calling a [[Wikipedia:Black Lives Matter|Black Lives Matter]] hotline,<ref name="Two" /><ref name="Seven" /> as well as one video where he joked about giving a 3-year-old child "plenty of D".<ref name="Zero">[https://www.dailydot.com/irl/youtuber-edp445-predator-poaches-video/ Daily Dot: Video: Popular YouTuber caught by ‘Predator Poachers’ allegedly trying to meet with 13-year-old girl].</ref> PP has had two accounts banned from YouTube and one removed from Instagram.<ref name="Zero" /><ref name="Two" /> The group was also criticized by the director of the Special Victims Unit from Kentucky's Office of the Attorney General due to its "terribly dangerous" conduct.<ref name="One">[https://www.wkyt.com/2022/05/26/wkyt-investigates-vigilante-justice/ WKYT Investigates Vigilante justice]. [https://archive.is/KYGjW Archived].</ref> | Aside from conducting sex stings, the group has also produced videos and livestreams on social media, where its founder uttered racist slurs, including while prank-calling a [[Wikipedia:Black Lives Matter|Black Lives Matter]] hotline,<ref name="Two" /><ref name="Seven" /> as well as one video where he joked about giving a 3-year-old child "plenty of D".<ref name="Zero">[https://www.dailydot.com/irl/youtuber-edp445-predator-poaches-video/ Daily Dot: Video: Popular YouTuber caught by ‘Predator Poachers’ allegedly trying to meet with 13-year-old girl].</ref> PP has had two accounts banned from YouTube and one removed from Instagram.<ref name="Zero" /><ref name="Two" /> The group was also criticized by the director of the Special Victims Unit from Kentucky's Office of the Attorney General due to its "terribly dangerous" conduct.<ref name="One">[https://www.wkyt.com/2022/05/26/wkyt-investigates-vigilante-justice/ WKYT Investigates Vigilante justice]. [https://archive.is/KYGjW Archived].</ref> | ||
On July 24, 2024, Rosen stated that a 60-year-old man had died by suicide after Rosen and his team accused him of viewing child pornography. According to court documents, the man, named Donald Anthony Letcher, had been previously accused of child molestation in the 1990s in a criminal case that was ultimately dismissed by the prosecution after the South Dakota Supreme Court overturned the man's conviction due to concerns regarding the credibility of the witnesses and another evidence-related issue that, the court stated, "severely prejudiced [his] ability to defend" himself. Rosen and his team were detained by police during the incident.<ref name="Nine">[https://www.ibtimes.sg/south-dakota-man-allegedly-kills-self-after-predator-hunting-group-accuses-him-watching-child-75419/ South Dakota Man Allegedly Kills Self After Predator Hunting Group Accuses Him of Watching Child Pornography]. [https://archive.ph/37q76 Archived].</ref> | On July 24, 2024, Rosen stated that a 60-year-old man had died by suicide after Rosen and his team accused him of viewing child pornography. According to court documents, the man, named Donald Anthony Letcher, had been previously accused of child molestation in the 1990s in a criminal case that was ultimately dismissed by the prosecution after the South Dakota Supreme Court overturned the man's conviction due to concerns regarding the credibility of the witnesses and another evidence-related issue that, the court stated, "severely prejudiced [his] ability to defend" himself. Rosen and his team were detained by police during the incident.<ref name="Nine">[https://www.ibtimes.sg/south-dakota-man-allegedly-kills-self-after-predator-hunting-group-accuses-him-watching-child-75419/ South Dakota Man Allegedly Kills Self After Predator Hunting Group Accuses Him of Watching Child Pornography]. [https://archive.ph/37q76 Archived].</ref> | ||
Rosen has also been criticized for focusing on the gay dating app [[Wikipedia:Grindr|Grindr]] for his stings, and providing deliberately thin excuses in the wake of these criticisms. | |||
==Use of minors== | ==Use of minors== | ||
[[File:Rosenmug.jpg|thumb|Alex Rosen, aka. Chet Goldstein of Predator Poachers has the unenviable distinction of being one of the few [[anti]]s to feature in | [[File:Rosenmug.jpg|thumb|Alex Rosen, aka. Chet Goldstein of Predator Poachers has the unenviable distinction of being one of the few [[anti]]s to feature in his own [[KiwiFarms]] thread]] | ||
Rosen stated that he had been using minors as baits for his videos. | Rosen stated that he had been using minors as baits for his videos. | ||
Latest revision as of 11:48, 17 September 2024
Predator Poachers (PP) is a Houston-based US-based vigilante group founded by controversial, anti-LGBT online influencer and banned YouTuber Alex Rosen in 2019. PP is mainly known for its shocking confrontations with suspected "predators", which are filmed and then posted on the internet. Humiliation and vulgar humor are central to the videos, and Rosen, known for his conspiracy theories and disrupting political events, has stated that he plans his stings with this in mind.[1][2][3][4][5]
In one interview, Rosen stated: "I've been threatened with a gun — not pointed at me, but threatened. (...) It's a risk we're willing to take. (...) In the end, if you want to make the world around you better, you've got to sacrifice something or be willing to sacrifice something. There's no reward if there's no risk."[3] In 2020, PP had 14 affiliates, but had to cut to 7 due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.[6] Rosen has stated that the group (after a full two years of operation) had only 10 pending or successful convictions vs over 300 "potential predators" exposed.[7]
Stings, and controversy
PP has conducted multiple sting operations against suspected "child predators" in the US.[5] During these operations, the group, composed of volunteers, would pose as minors on social media for the purpose of contacting and then confronting potential "predators" in real life, often while recording the encounter. Rosen said that a big part of making PP's videos was to make them entertaining.[6][5] Those confrontations have included the use of racist language ("Nigger"),[5][3][4][2] the use of real minors as decoys,[4] verbal attacks[5][6] and deliberately instigated fights.[5] The group is also known for its confrontation with online influencer Deyione Eason (known online as EDP445), causing controversy resulting in PP's suspension from YouTube for the second time, as well as for Eason.[3][4]
Aside from conducting sex stings, the group has also produced videos and livestreams on social media, where its founder uttered racist slurs, including while prank-calling a Black Lives Matter hotline,[4][3] as well as one video where he joked about giving a 3-year-old child "plenty of D".[8] PP has had two accounts banned from YouTube and one removed from Instagram.[8][4] The group was also criticized by the director of the Special Victims Unit from Kentucky's Office of the Attorney General due to its "terribly dangerous" conduct.[9]
On July 24, 2024, Rosen stated that a 60-year-old man had died by suicide after Rosen and his team accused him of viewing child pornography. According to court documents, the man, named Donald Anthony Letcher, had been previously accused of child molestation in the 1990s in a criminal case that was ultimately dismissed by the prosecution after the South Dakota Supreme Court overturned the man's conviction due to concerns regarding the credibility of the witnesses and another evidence-related issue that, the court stated, "severely prejudiced [his] ability to defend" himself. Rosen and his team were detained by police during the incident.[10]
Rosen has also been criticized for focusing on the gay dating app Grindr for his stings, and providing deliberately thin excuses in the wake of these criticisms.
Use of minors
Rosen stated that he had been using minors as baits for his videos.
During one sting operation, a minor that PP had used as a decoy said the target was "touching and kissing me and trying to hold my hand." A 2020 video of a sting operation by PP also contained footage of Alex Rosen's 16-year-old cousin unbuckling and taking off his pants in front of a suspected "predator".[4]
Quotes
Rosen is known for a no-holds-barred approach to expressing the once latent pedophobia developed earlier on in his tortured existence:
I literally just yell in someone’s face and make them feel shitty.
Rosen, 2020.[1]
See also
External links
- Wikipedia - Even more meticulously detailed analysis (archived, as cowardly administrators deleted it).
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 FOX 40: Vigilante ‘Predator Poachers’ come to Sacramento. Archived.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 FST archived video of vulgar language in use
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Yahoo: A YouTuber with 2 million subscribers was accused of messaging a fake 13-year-old in a vigilante sting operation. Archived.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Insider: A predator hunting YouTuber and a man seemingly caught in a sting both had their channels removed by the platform. Archived.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Armed With Cell Phones, Not Badges, Amateur Predator Catcher Groups Are Sprouting Up Across Northeast Ohio. Archived.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Predator Poachers" publicly shame adults accused of trying to prey on young kids.
- ↑ Have A Seat With Chris Hansen ft. Wes Moast, CC Unit, Alex, & Daniel Warner discussing.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Daily Dot: Video: Popular YouTuber caught by ‘Predator Poachers’ allegedly trying to meet with 13-year-old girl.
- ↑ WKYT Investigates Vigilante justice. Archived.
- ↑ South Dakota Man Allegedly Kills Self After Predator Hunting Group Accuses Him of Watching Child Pornography. Archived.
- Official Encyclopedia
- Censorship
- Cyber Activism
- Anti-Pedophile culture
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