Public’s predator-catching efforts stir debate in South Carolina

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A video that appears to show a Lowcountry man being confronted by an organization on a livestream has raised questions about the enforcement of child solicitation laws in South Carolina.

Bikers Against Predators – a group that says it catches, confronts and reports individuals interacting with minors online – livestreamed a confrontation between the organization’s president, Robert Bloom, and a Lowcountry man.

It’s something that’s not just happening in South Carolina: Vigilante groups who set up their own online stings to catch predators.

In November, a large group of vigilante teenagers aided in the arrest of an alleged sex predator in California, according to authorities.

But sometimes the so-called predator hunters land in trouble themselves.

Here are some of the details of the Bikers Against Predators case:

Upon arrival at a local restaurant, the man was confronted by Bloom about his interactions online.

911 was called and the Charleston Police Department arrived after the confrontation had continued for around an hour.

In this week’s incident, the man was arrested for a parole violation but not for child solicitation.

Earlier this year, the individual was convicted of criminal solicitation according to public records.

The Charleston Police Department confirmed the incident is being actively investigated by Internet Crimes Against Children Detective. The department also stated it’s important to note that just because an arrest isn’t made on the scene, charges can still be brought.

Attorney general says these cases are hard to prosecute

Bikers Against Predators said the Attorney General’s Office has stated they will not get involved in child solicitation decoy cases that are conducted by private parties. But South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson says otherwise.

“I didn’t say we would never prosecute a case where there was probable cause that someone committed a crime like soliciting sex from a minor if it was brought to a private citizen,” Wilson said. “What we have always said is that oftentimes these cases are very difficult to prosecute because they are private citizens.”

Under South Carolina law, if someone pretends to be a minor, but the person who’s pretending is 16 or older, there is no crime.

“A lot of the discovery and information that goes into making a case conviction would not be issible in court by the way the information is obtained. You could have people spoofing each other; not having the right IP address or having someone just get on your computer and do this,” Wilson said.

“Law enforcement has protocols that they do to ensure that the person that is actually doing the talking online is in fact the person,” he added.

Wilson stated when a private citizen tries to confront a potential predator the situation could turn violent, raising a public safety concern.

“Don’t try to be a vigilante. Don’t try to be a hero; it could turn out very badly for that person, for you, or for bystanders,” Wilson said. “You can get someone killed or someone hurt. You could also compromise the integrity of another law enforcement investigation going on in that very same community.”

‘It’s frustrating’

In response to Wilson, Bloom said they do not expect someone to be charged on the spot by law enforcement and understand the legalities but think an investigation is warranted.

“I think that’s just a bit ridiculous; I think that no matter who’s reporting child sexual abuse material, it should be taken and investigated, especially if you have evidence to prove it,” Bloom told Live 5 News.

He and the organization state they are not entrapping the suspected predators because their s just exist and individuals reach out first.

“I think it is frustrating in this case because he is in possession and we want to submit it,” he added. “All the video of him in the restaurant and openly itting to the stuff on his phone is there. I think ultimately, as Americans, we have to act on them.”

Bloom says his confrontations have led to direct and immediate arrests in states across the country.

“I think if every other state is prosecuting regardless, especially on child pornography, there’s no reason that South Carolina should not prosecute cases of individuals preying on children or viewing child sexual abuse material,” Bloom said.

Bikers Against Predators Alan Wilson scheduled a meeting to discuss this case in particular and the relationship between law enforcement and organizations like themselves.

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