US EditionOnline Group "Predator Poachers" Helps Police Catch Convicted Sex Offender in Massachusetts
Travis Jon Olson, 45, was arrested after a sting involving a 13-year-old decoy; authorities continue investigating the contents of his phone for evidence.
- On Aug. 8, Travis Jon Olson, 45, of Cottonwood, was arrested in Bird Island, Minnesota; the Renville County Attorney's Office charged him with one count of possession of child pornography, a felony.
- The decoy posed as a 13-year-old to prompt a meeting, arranged by Predator Poachers, online vigilante group whose Long Island chapter began six months ago with 30 captures and 11 arrests, Mike Villani said.
- Investigators say Olson's phone contains alleged child sexual abuse material, and he admitted to sexual chats on Instagram with females as young as 14, with the Renville County Sheriff's Office still examining his phone.
- At his Aug. 11 court appearance he faced bail terms, was ordered held on $100,000 b or $10,000 b conditional release, was released after posting bond, must avoid contact with anyone under age 18, and will return Aug. 25.
- Legal experts said technicalities can hinder use of vigilante-gathered evidence, and Police said they may use information from vigilante groups but warned those operations carry safety risks.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Online group "Predator Poachers" helps police catch convicted sex offender in Massachusetts | News Channel 3-12
By Louisa Moller Click here for updates on this story NEW YORK (WCBS) — An online vigilante group based in New York came to Massachusetts to help police catch a convicted sex offender and while they tout the success of their provocative approach, police said there is a safer way. David Baxter, 56, from Hanson pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including enticement of a child under the age of 16 and trafficking of a person under 18 for se…
Online group "Predator Poachers" helps police catch convicted sex offender in Massachusetts
By Louisa Moller Click here for updates on this story NEW YORK (WCBS) — An online vigilante group based in New York came to Massachusetts to help police catch a convicted sex offender and while they tout the success of their provocative approach, police said there is a safer way. David Baxter, 56, from Hanson pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including enticement of a child under the age of 16 and trafficking of a person under 18 for se…
Pornography charge filed after apparent vigilante sting operation
OLIVIA, Minn. — A man arrested on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material after a group of online vigilantes apparently set up a sting operation has now been charged by the Renville County Attorney’s Office. Travis Jon Olson, 45, of Cottonwood, was arrested Aug. 8 in Bird Island, Minnesota, after the Renville County Sheriff’s Office was tipped off about a 45-year-old man attempting to meet with a juvenile female. Olson is charged wit…
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