I have been referred a number of cases lately involving men arrested for allegedly using the Internet to ensnare young girls. I write "allegedly" because sometimes it's a bit tricky to know whether the case is one of legitimate apprehension of a predator or else an overuse of power by a public official.
A typical statute will define "entrapment" as being an unjustified use of police power to capture an individual committing or about to commit a crime which he/she would NOT have committed but for the involvement and prodding of the public official. In other words, it's a question of having a predisposition to commit the crime and/or having it be premeditated.
An Internet predator is usually a man who uses the Internet to lure young or vulnerable girls, boys, women or men into a meeting for his own sexual gratification. Often there is a power disparity between the predator and the victim.
Here's an example, with all names, of course, changed: Bill is 33 years old and is a lonely, shy and insecure young man. He enjoys looking at and reading pornographic magazines.He has no girlfriend, but he does have online "friends" he meets in various Internet chat rooms. One evening he "meets" Jennifer, and they soon move to a quicker, IM form of conversing. Over the course of several days, Jennifer tells Bill she likes him and finds him interesting and romantic. She writes that she would like to meet him. One night she admits that she is 15 years old. Bill tells her he cannot continue this IM chatting because she is underage, and "jailbait." She tells him she is turned on to him and just wants to see him and maybe "fool around" a little bit. He demurs, saying she is too young.
Jennifer pleads with Bill over the next three nights. He still says no. Finally, she accuses him of being a coward. He objects to this and tells her that he will meet her but only for a little while. He suggests they meet at Exit 17 off the Interstate. Bill shows up at 10:30 PM. He is immediately surrounded by police cars, and learns that "Jennifer" is a 30-year-old female detective. Bill is arrested, handcuffed and taken to jail.
Is Bill a predator or is this entrapment. What do you think?
Helpful links: Entrapment
