Minnesota Vigilante’s Dangerous Path: When Online ‘Predator Catching’ Goes Wrong
Minnesota man who calls himself the “Midwest Predator Catcher” gets 4 years after trapping alleged sex predator in a sting gone wrong. đ #News #RochesterMN #Minnesota #Crime
ROCHESTER, MN – In the murky world of online vigilantism, good intentions can quickly spiral into criminal behavior. Chase Tanner Johnston, a 30-year-old Rochester, Minnesota man who branded himself the “Midwest Predator Catcher,” learned this lesson the hard way when his self-appointed justice mission landed him behind bars.
The Sting Operation That Backfired
On a summer day in July 2023, Johnston orchestrated an elaborate trap that would ultimately result in his own legal downfall. Using a fabricated social media profile, he lured a man to an apartment complex under false pretenses. Johnston claimed to be 20 years old in initial communications, then strategically shifted his claimed age to 16, creating a scenario designed to expose potential sexual misconduct.
When the targeted individual arrived, Johnston’s tactics turned aggressive. He blocked the apartment’s exit, physically preventing the man from leaving and initiating a confrontation that was meticulously recorded. The targeted individual contacted Rochester police, reporting that he had been illegally detained and set up in a compromising situation.
A Complex Legal Resolution
The judicial system responded swiftly to Johnston’s actions. In September, he was convicted of stalking, resulting in a 48-month prison sentence. This term will run concurrently with a previously imposed 51-month sentence for a felony driving while intoxicated (DWI) conviction in Olmsted County.
Digital evidence played a crucial role in the case. Investigators examined message exchanges that revealed Johnston’s manipulative communication strategy, including discussions about marijuana and the transmission of explicit photographs. The messages exposed the calculated nature of Johnston’s online entrapment method.
Johnston’s arrest was marked by his confrontational response, where he claimed the targeted individual intended to engage with a minor. However, the complex digital trail and his own aggressive actions ultimately undermined his self-proclaimed role as a “predator catcher.”
This case serves as a stark reminder that vigilante justice is not only ineffective but can lead to serious legal repercussions. Proper law enforcement channels exist to investigate and address potential criminal behavior, and individuals who take the law into their own hands risk becoming perpetrators themselves.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Minnesota
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As I waI watched the TV show
“To Catch a Predator” They caught a guy and he got again. The Police are not the problem. It’s Judges that cut them lose.
Hey Tom! Great point, we definitely need stronger punishments for these guys! Thanks for reading. Hope you have a great day! đ – Cheers, Jack and Kitty