DAP Smear - Sandusky Co., OH law enforcement agencies issue stern warning to vigilante group "Dads Against Predators"

Here's an idea-- instead of idle threats, how about arresting these thugs?

(Not that the cops are doing much better, bragging about their own entrapment operations.)

I'd love to see these thugs in prison where they belong. 

https://nbc24.com/news/local/law-enforcement-calling-on-dads-against-predators-to-cease-operations

Law enforcement calling on Dads Against Predators to cease operations

by Aaron LeedyMonday, October 19th 2020

FREMONT, Ohio — A group of people made up of police chiefs, a prosecutor and a sheriff are calling on the organization Dads Against Predators, also known as Dap, Inc., to cease operations because they say it affects their ability to properly capture and prosecute people accused of sex crimes against children.

The Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office says Dap, Inc. posts several videos showing themselves encountering people in various community locations and exposing them as child predators.

Authorities said in a news release issued October 19 that after luring individuals to meet with Dap, Inc. members at a location for a potential sexual encounter, DAP records and publishes the chat communication, as well as the-face-to-face encounter on their Facebook page and YouTube channel.

“Unfortunately, DAP fails to potentially realize that it is creating seriously hazardous and potentially dangerous situations in community settings,” the news release stated. “By conducting these ‘operations’ in the manner that they do, it renders law enforcement unable to criminally charge these individuals and prosecutors unable to prosecute. Therefore, these potential predators are able to walk away with no repercussions for what they had the intent to do. DAP has, in essence, educated these people on ways to not get caught in the future, thus creating the potential for future victims of sexual assault. These victims are the very people we, as law enforcement, prosecutors and mental health professionals, are here to help and protect."

The news release was signed by Sandusky County Sheriff Christopher Hilton, Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Executive Director Mircea Handru, Sandusky County Prosecutor Beth Tischler, City of Fremont Law Director Jim Melle, Fremont Police Chief Dean Bliss, Green Springs Police Chief Charles Home, Clyde Police Chief Monti Campbell and Bellevue Police Chief Marc Linder.

"Local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors of Sandusky County and the City of Fremont cannot and will not sit back anymore and watch as DAP continues to parade its form of vigilante justice. Its intentions may be well intended, but their methods and outcomes are improper and unacceptable. The 'exposed' individuals may be exactly what DAP says they are, but they also may not be. DAP's careless and reckless regard for law and order and due process has resulted in the loss of life, and the situation has gotten out of hand," the news release stated.

"We ask DAP to stop, step aside and let law enforcement do what they are trained to do, which is to successfully find, investigate, arrest and prosecute those who would attempt to harm the most vulnerable of our society, our children. The judicial system shall decide whether these individuals are in fact guilty or not guilty; and everyone has the right to a due process. We will fight for them as we fight for all victims of abuse and crime. We will help those who have been victimized. In Fremont and Sandusky County, we have the resources available to help victims and will do so at a moment's notice. We are dedicated to protecting and serving everyone," authorities said. "Should DAP continue their vigilante efforts, we may be forced to prosecute them for their actions."

DAP creator Joshua Mundy says the organization started in January of this year. DAP's website is a single page directing people to a donation page. The website claims DAP has caught more than 46 predators. DAP's social media pages are more active, featuring videos of encounters.

"We were surprised by it. I didn't see it coming," said Mundy in response to the announcement from law enforcement.

Mundy told NBC 24 in a phone interview he wished authorities would have spoken privately with him first before making a public statement. He said he plans to go to the sheriff's office and speak with the sheriff directly.

"If I'm doing something illegal, then I need to be prosecuted already. If you're not going to prosecute me, then I feel like you're playing a silly game with justice," said Mundy. "I feel like there's nothing they can prosecute me with because I've worked within the law this whole time," said Mundy. "Go and watch the videos for yourself and you'll see that we have nothing but proof. By them saying it's impossible for them to work with us is a flat-out lie." he said.

Mundy said he has had success working with certain law enforcement agencies, specifically the Woodville Police Department.

Sandusky County authorities say so far this year, their own efforts led to several arrests and highlighted several initiatives and sting operations spanning several months. Two of those initiatives were an undercover sting that resulted in 15 arrests and a sex offender registration sweep that resulted in eight arrests.

https://www.13abc.com/2020/10/19/sandusky-sheriff-threatens-to-prosecute-dap-vigilantes-after-multiple-suicides-connected-to-sting-videos/

Sandusky Sheriff threatens to prosecute DAP after multiple suicides connected to sting videos

Multiple law enforcement agencies warning the Dads Against Predators group to stop entrapping, recording men they track on the internet.

By WTVG Staff

Published: Oct. 19, 2020 at 5:17 PM CDT|Updated: 15 hours ago

FREMONT, Ohio (WTVG) - A vigilante group that records videos of men allegedly looking to meet minors for sex is being warned by multiple law enforcement agencies to stop what they’re doing or face potential prosecution after two suicides.

The group, the Fremont chapter of Dads Against Predators, was specifically targeted in a letter signed by the Sandusky County Sheriff and County Prosecutor, as well as multiple police chiefs in the county.

“Local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors of Sandusky County and the City of Fremont cannot and will not sit back anymore and watch as DAP continues to parade its form of vigilante justice,” the letter, released Monday, read. “Its intentions may be well-intended, but their methods and outcomes are improper and unacceptable. The ‘exposed’ individuals may be exactly what DAP says they are, but they also may not be. DAP’s careless and reckless regard for law and order and due process has resulted in the loss of life, and the situation has gotten out of hand.”

Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton said “loss of life” was a reference to two individuals who died by suicide after DAP posted videos of them on YouTube, and third suspected suicide, where a man died a day after his DAP video was posted online.

The letter lists multiple actions law enforcement has taken in 2020 to combat sex offenders, including dozens of arrests.