Dads Against Predators could be prosecuted
FREMONT – Local law enforcement agencies are saying there could be consequences to Dads Against Predators and the group's “vigilante justice.”
In a Monday press release, area law enforcement leaders including Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton, prosecutor Beth Tischler and other police and mental health leaders said they may be forced to prosecute the group that has been posing as minors to lure men for sex.
In the release, law enforcement said DAP is “careless and reckless” and that its actions of entrapping men at various locations in the county have caused the loss of life.
Dean Bliss, Fremont's Police Chief, said there have been people who have appeared on recordings on DAP'S YouTube channel that have attempted or committed suicide, though the chief said he is 100% certain a local man's death was suicide as an autopsy was ordered.
The man was confronted by DAP and a video was then posted in October. A day later, Fremont Police were called after the man was found deceased.
Joshua Mundy, one of the members of DAP, released a statement Tuesday morning on the group's Facebook page.
“I am not anti police or law and order, I am anti inaction, I am anti “sit back,” I'm anti letting people get away with doing a sub par job while getting paid and patting themselves on the back, I'm anti child abuse, I'm anti excuses, I'm anti fear and most of all, I'm anti predators in my f**king town,” he said in the post.
The group will host an event at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Fremont Police Department on West State Street to protest what they called a “ridiculous” statement by local law enforcement agencies, according to the DAP Facebook group.
“The situation has gotten out of hand,” law enforcement officials said in the news release said.
“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 release said.
The release said law enforcement dedicate themselves to protecting everyone in the county.
Hilton told the News-messenger that he fears a DAP confrontation with a target could get violent and wants the group to stop for their protection and the protection of those they meet.
During a January press conference, law enforcement leaders in Sandusky County said stings executed by DAP would not hold up in court.
Although the release said the group's work may be well-intended, the methods and outcomes are improper and the “exposed” individuals from the videos may or may not be predators.
“Should DAP continue their vigilante efforts, we may be forced to prosecute them for their actions,” the release said.
Hilton said that statement comes directly from prosecutor Beth Tischler, who did not return a call seeking comment Tuesday.
Hilton said if the group continues meeting these people, they could be subject to disorderly conduct, menacing or menacing by stalking, which could ascend to a felony-level crime.
Bliss said information gathered from DAP that was previously sent to law enforcement, or subsequent meetings DAP has had with men and women they contact, is more for prosecutors to handle rather than police.