Canada police arrest ‘pedophile hunting’ group over child abuse images

[bnew]

Canada police arrest ‘pedophile hunting’ group over child abuse images

Quebec authorities announced six people were in custody for criminal harassment, intimidation and forcible confinement

www.theguardian.com

Fri 31 Mar 2023 16.24 EDT
Quebec authorities announced six people were in custody for criminal harassment, intimidation and forcible confinement

Police say members of the group used sexually charged images to lure alleged pedophiles. Photograph: Evan Buhler/Reuters


Police in Canada have arrested members of a vigilante “pedophile-hunting” group, charging them with distribution of child abuse images, amid frustration over the group’s controversial tactics.

Quebec police announced on Thursday that six people had been arrested as part of an investigation into a group that had drawn complaints from the public.


Five of the suspects, all in their mid-to-late 20s, face charges of distributing the images, with some also charged with criminal harassment, intimidation and forcible confinement.

A sixth person, a 40-year-old man, faces criminal harassment, intimidation and forcible confinement charges.

Police in the city of Gatineau say members of the group who were involved in the “hunt” would film their meetings with alleged pedophiles after contacting them online, posting the clips widely on social media.

But in order to lure people, the group used sexually explicit photos, faked to give the appearance that the subjects were underage.

“There were exchanges of photos during conversations [online] and what the law says, when you share a photo, that it is explicit pornographic material and that you claim that it represents a person of age minor, even if it really isn’t, it becomes child pornography,” constable Andrée East told the Canadian Press. “It’s considered as such, even if in truth it doesn’t really represent the body of a minor person.”

For more than a decade, Quebec police have been pleading with the vigilante groups to stop their “hunts”. In January, after receiving multiple complaints, the police issued a release again warning people against involving themselves with “cyberpredator hunters” in the region.

None of those targeted by the group have been charged by police.

Law enforcement agencies across the country continue to grapple with the proliferation of online vigilante groups that attempt to catch pedophiles.

One investigation found the group ensnared innocent people by manipulating chats and messages to give the appearance of impropriety.

One group, Creep Catchers, has long frustrated police for their methods, which at times have interfered in police investigations and come with tragic consequences.

In 2016, a woman in Alberta took her life months after she was confronted by the group.

In 2017, police arrested the head of the Surrey Creep Catchers, Ryan LaForge, on an outstanding warrant as he attempted to arrest someone he claimed was a pedophile.

That same year, Quebec police arrested William Drapeau in Sherbrooke after he tried setting up fake sexual encounters.

In addition to the charges announced on Thursday in Quebec, officers seized digital materials and found a firearm that was stored improperly.

“In no case can a person take justice into their own hands, even if they are the victim of a crime, whatever it may be,” the police said in a statement.

 

[The Half-Blood FKA Prince]

One investigation found the group ensnared innocent people by manipulating chats and messages to give the appearance of impropriety.

Was about to say they should be given a medal for doing the Lord's work but if this part is true, then i hope they get convicted for the images and no context in their paperwork and they throw them in gen pop with the other pedos like they were trying to use their platform to do to an innocent person.


I really wanna know the context behind that though, cause that is a weird detail in this story and it feels like there gotta be some kinda context issue they holding back.

 

[Arizax2]

Was about to say they should be given a medal for doing the Lord's work but if this part is true, then i hope they get convicted for the images and no context in their paperwork and they throw them in gen pop with the other pedos like they were trying to use their platform to do to an innocent person.


I really wanna know the context behind that though, cause that is a weird detail in this story and it feels like there gotta be some kinda context issue they holding back.

Agreed

 

[DatNkkaCutty]

“There were exchanges of photos during conversations [online] and what the law says, when you share a photo, that it is explicit pornographic material and that you claim that it represents a person of age minor, even if it really isn’t, it becomes child pornography,” constable Andrée East told the Canadian Press. “It’s considered as such, even if in truth it doesn’t really represent the body of a minor person.”

If they're fake images (not really minors), and the pedo hunters, are acting "in good faith" by exposing these POS, and gettin em off the street, who gives AF? They're doin a better job, of catchin these demons, than law enforcement is.

 

[LuuqMaan]

They fukked around and came across one with great power it seems

 

[DatNkkaCutty]

For more than a decade, Quebec police have been pleading with the vigilante groups to stop their “hunts”.

Are their ppl in positions, scared they'll be exposed?

 

[Fill Collins]

They were moving wrong...

If they're fake images (not really minors), and the pedo hunters, are acting "in good faith" by exposing these POS, and gettin em off the street, who gives AF? They're doin a better job, of catchin these demons, than law enforcement is.

On paper, I agree with you, but there's pedo catchers who don't use explicit pictures and just use SFW photos of themselves, the pedos trap themselves by sending dikk pics; someone with actual child porn could claim they faked it and saved it for future hunts, esp. with AI getting better

Also, a lot of those peds unfortunately get off, but they're still exposed and judging from the predator catchers I watch on YT, more police departments are willing to work with them, slowly but surely

 

[Nkrumah Was Right]

Are their ppl in positions, scared they'll be exposed?

More so that vigilantism is worrisome to public authorities

 

[duncanthetall]

I used to wonder why don’t these guys who do this just like become police officers if that’s the kind of shyt they want to do. Then it hit me. These motherfukkers don’t have the qualifications and ability even to be a fukking police officer. And since it don’t take much to be a cop, that means that their level of incompetence is likely scary and half the people they’re “arresting” are probably innocent. Just give the info to cops after baiting them if you’re that concerned.

 

[African Peasant]

I used to wonder why don’t these guys who do this just like become police officers if that’s the kind of shyt they want to do. Then it hit me. These motherfukkers don’t have the qualifications and ability even to be a fukking police officer. And since it don’t take much to be a cop, that means that their level of incompetence is likely scary and half the people they’re “arresting” are probably innocent. Just give the info to cops after baiting them if you’re that concerned.

Don't think becoming police officer give you the duty to hunt pedophiles. You might end up doing traffic. You don't pick your duty. And there is too much politics involved.

 

[RickyDiBiase]

I used to wonder why don’t these guys who do this just like become police officers if that’s the kind of shyt they want to do. Then it hit me. These motherfukkers don’t have the qualifications and ability even to be a fukking police officer. And since it don’t take much to be a cop, that means that their level of incompetence is likely scary and half the people they’re “arresting” are probably innocent. Just give the info to cops after baiting them if you’re that concerned.

Thats my main issue with vigilante justice, while a lot of police are incompetent, there’s mfers even more incompetent than them that wanna play law and order.

 

[Draje]

I used to wonder why don’t these guys who do this just like become police officers if that’s the kind of shyt they want to do. Then it hit me. These motherfukkers don’t have the qualifications and ability even to be a fukking police officer. And since it don’t take much to be a cop, that means that their level of incompetence is likely scary and half the people they’re “arresting” are probably innocent. Just give the info to cops after baiting them if you’re that concerned.

Cops have a load of red tape when dealing with ped0s and prosecutors don’t rush to charge them like you think. It’s not the cops that are the issue but the prosecutor.

A lot of these dudes are working with them ex detectives and ex-investigators to make the confessions they get easier to convict on.

But you gotta know your county though.

 

[iswass2012]

None of those targeted by the group have been charged by police.

 

[Bumblebreh]

Don't think becoming police officer give you the duty to hunt pedophiles. You might end up doing traffic. You don't pick your duty. And there is too much politics involved.

This, and sure catching the predators is rewarding. But the actual investigators are exposed to hundreds if not thousands of demonic images and that type of work is soul destroying.

I used to wonder why don’t these guys who do this just like become police officers if that’s the kind of shyt they want to do. Then it hit me. These motherfukkers don’t have the qualifications and ability even to be a fukking police officer. And since it don’t take much to be a cop, that means that their level of incompetence is likely scary and half the people they’re “arresting” are probably innocent. Just give the info to cops after baiting them if you’re that concerned.

Some catchers are genuine, but others are just clout chasers. The actual job itself is not glamorous. Most people are not built for it when it comes to dealing with the worst of the worst.

 

[The Half-Blood FKA Prince]

They fukked around and came across one with great power it seems

Perhaps this could be the same "innocent victim" they "manipulated text" to make "appear" guilty.