Creep Catchers sting leads to sex charge against P.E.I. man

A sting by the controversial Creep Catchers vigilante group has led to the arrest of a 31-yearold Charlottetown man, police say.

The man was charged with making an agreement or arrangement to commit a sexual offence against a child following a four-month investigation by Charlottetown police and the Cape Breton Regional Police Service’s internet child exploitation unit.

“A member of the citizens group Cape Breton Creep Catchers contacted Cape Breton police to make a report and request their assistance,” Det. Sgt. Walter Vessey of the Charlottetown police major crime unit said Wednesday.

“It’s my first involvement with the group and I know there is controversy around the way they operate, but in this particular case, they made a complaint to the Cape Breton police, they provided supporting information, and the information resulted in laying a charge against a person who it looks like intended to victimize a child.”

The Creep Catchers are known for targeting people they allege are child sexual predators by posing as minors online, arranging to meet their targets and filming the encounters, which are then published on the internet.

Law enforcement officials across Canada have expressed concern about the groups, warning the public that confronting alleged child predators could put people in danger and compromise police investigations.

Said Vessey: “Any time we receive information from any member of the public that can help protect a child or vulnerable person, we’re happy to act on that information.”

Police say the accused was released on conditions and will appear in court on Aug. 28.