Edward Jones Financial Advisor Christopher Rydgig apparently did not vet KTS Predator Hunters vigilante Kyle Swanson before giving him an award

Christopher Rydgig, an Edward Jones Financial Advisor in Maryville, IL, gave an award to Kyle Swanson of KTS Predator Hunters. Feel free to share your disgust at:

Phone: (618) 223-5138

Email: christopher.rydgig@edwardjones.com

or

https://www.facebook.com/ejadvisorchristopherrydgig/photos/1574139389443146

Mr. Rydgig should vet their award recipients a lot better, because:

1. KTS Predator Hunters is currently being sued by autistic man they tried setting up: As mentioned in yesterday's article, KTS Predator Hunters has been sued, and the group is claiming the lawsuit may cause them to cease operations. (Good.) KTS is trying to raise $7500 for attorney fees but thankfully has only raised $900 on GoFundMe so far. I've reported that campaign so hopefully it will be removed soon. 

i'm amazed they weren't taken to task when members of their vigilante page made nasty remarks on the Madison County IL Sheriff's Office Facebook page. As The Telegraph notes, 

"The Sheriff’s Department made several postings in response to the incident on its Facebook page, but eventually took them down because of the confrontational nature of the group’s responses, according to Vucich."

2. KTS Predator Hunters has been in a dispute with local law enforcement agencies: The Telegraph reported in August 2020 that "KTS Predator Hunters LLC, has been in a feud with the sheriff’s department since an incident in Alton late last month. Madison County Chief Deputy Sheriff Major Jeff Connor, who also is the commander of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, said he believes the group has good intentions, but are going about it improperly, making it difficult for law enforcement to prosecute. That was echoed by Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons, who said he had met with representatives of the group about 18 months ago, when he told them how they needed to work with local law enforcement... Connor also said that, according to video recorded at the scene, they threatened the man and “took weed” from the man. “We don’t know what they did with it,” said Connor in reference to the alleged marijuana. “We know they didn’t turn it over to the police.” Later in the monthly county judiciary meeting, Gibbons said he had talked to representatives of the KTS group and “explained to them how the methods they were using made it virtually impossible for us to charge somebody.” Gibbons said that when someone is identified as abusing or endangering children “that is when you call 911. “Once you go and arrange a meeting with these people, the investigation is beyond where we will be able to obtain additional evidence,” he said.

3. KTS had been kicked off social media at least once already: Considering how hard it is to get these groups kicked off Facebook, they must have done something quite horrific to have had their previous account deleted. 

They are currently at risk for deletion yet again:

It may be partially because KTS also posted siome QAnon propaganda and is friends with the doucherag David Rowe from No Peace For Predators, another QAnon conspiracy crackpot:

4. Most of KTS's "cases" do not lead to arrests or convictions: Even before counties in Missouri outright banned using vigilante group data for arrests, most of KTS Predatror Hunter's "exposes" went absolutely nowhere; even when an arrest was made, cases were later dropped. Similar cases in Illinois, where KTS now operates, were also dropped due to KTS incompetence. 

5. KTS Predator Hunters doesn't mind engaging in risky behavior: KTS set up one of their entrapment operations in the parking lot of a grade school, which alarmed local officials. "Collinsville Unit School District 10 officials were disturbed to learn that one of these sting-like operations took place Monday night in the parking lot of Webster Elementary School. The target was a Missouri man who apparently thought he was meeting a 13-year-old girl. Instead, he faced two members of the metro-east group KTS Predator Hunters. They interrogated and reprimanded him for about 10 minutes as video cameras recorded the scene. 'This group had no involvement, agreement or communication with the school district or local law enforcement before, during or after this occurred,' Superintendent Brad Skertich said Thursday. 'They were completely on their own.'"

OK, for those wondering why data from a vigilante group is generally not used in a real criminal case, look up the term "Fruit of the Poisonous Tree." In the case leading to the dispute with the Madison Co IL Sheriff's Dept, The Telegraph noted, 

"The alleged incident took place Wednesday in the parking lot of a Walgreens on State Street in Alton, but both county and city law enforcement officials said they received either no or haphazard information prior to the actual incident, and have not been contacted since." 

We don't know all of what was said during this conversation. How do we even know proper protocol was followed and the alleged predator is actually intending to meet an underage person? When vigilante groups dick with providing potential evidence, it is unusable. 

I'm sure to get plenty of nasty messages from this group for posting this, so I'll be sure to submit this to the attorney for the man suing these losers as well as posting them here. 

Kyle Swanson of KTS Predator Hunters sued for defamation after bullying Austistic person

I am going over the lawsuit now, but some outlets have reported that this lawsuit may cause this vigilante group to cease operations. 

Good. No mercy for neckbearded vigilante thugs!

More on this story later. 

https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article246480085.html

Former security guard sues sex ‘predator hunters’ for defamation in Randolph County

BY TERI MADDOX

OCTOBER 16, 2020 07:30 AM, 

A metro-east group that posts photos, videos and other information on social media to expose and shame suspected pedophiles is being sued for defamation by a Randolph County man.

Adrian Collins filed a lawsuit in Randolph County Circuit Court last month against KTS Predator Hunters and its founder, Kyle Swanson, of Belleville.

In his complaint, Collins maintains that Swanson posted a Facebook conversation between Collins and someone identified as “Jordan Lane” in June on the KTS Facebook page and falsely called it a “sex trafficking situation,” insinuated that Collins was “grooming” a 14-year-old girl and referred to Collins as “very creepy.”

“Plaintiff did not inquire as to (Jordan Lane’s) age at the time of his conversation with her,” according to the complaint, which states that Collins has Asperger syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.

The complaint also states that Collins received threats online after KTS posted his conversation, lost his job as a security guard at Red Bud Regional Hospital and hasn’t been able to find other employment.

The lawsuit asks for in excess of $50,000 for compensatory damages and in excess of $50,000 for punitive damages.

“Defendants maliciously and intentionally caused the publication of the false statements to a Facebook page with thousands of followers for the purpose of harming the Plaintiff’s good reputation,” the complaint states.

Collins is represented by Belleville attorney Megan Gilbreth, who filed the lawsuit on Sept. 4. Swanson later motioned for dismissal. An attorney wasn’t listed in his motion.

“Plaintiff was well aware of the age of the decoy,” it stated.

Randolph County Circuit Court Judge Richard Brown denied the motion to dismiss the lawsuit on Sept. 25. Swanson has 30 days from that date to answer the complaint.

KTS announced the lawsuit Wednesday on the Facebook page of its non-profit organization, KTS: Stop Sexual Assault. The group is asking its more than 47,000 followers to donate money for legal fees.

“Wondering why we haven’t been doing live meet ups lately?” the post asked, using the term “meet ups” to describe videotaped confrontations with suspected pedophiles that are sometimes streamed live on Facebook or YouTube.

“We are currently in a head to head battle with a former person we exposed and going to court with them. They’re attempting to sue ourselves and our owner personally. Our lawyers fees have added up and we’re looking for help. The down payment alone is $7,500.

“Please take a second share this. We can’t continue operations till this is over and may shut down KTS completely if we don’t raise enough money for an attorney.”

Group leaders didn’t return a call seeking comment.

Predator-hunting groups can be found all over the country. Some were inspired by “To Catch a Predator,” a reality TV series that was part of NBC’s “Dateline” from 2004 to 2007. Police were involved in most of its episodes.

KTS members communicate with suspected pedophiles on the internet and sometimes lure the adult men to locations in Illinois and Missouri under the pretense that they are minor girls willing to meet and presumably have sex.

Then KTS members show up at the locations, confront suspects, videotape confrontations and post videos on Facebook or YouTube. The idea is to shame and perhaps scare the adult men into stopping their activities, as KTS has no legal authority to arrest them.

As of Thursday afternoon, nearly 150 followers had offered support on the KTS: Stop Sexual Assault Facebook page in response to news of the Randolph County lawsuit. Some suggested legal strategies or reported that they had donated money. Others called for protests at Swanson’s court appearances.

“With the mission y’all have I would think you should be able to find an amazing lawyer pro bono because who doesn’t want these monsters called out?” one commenter wrote.

KTS made headlines last month, when one of its sting-like operations involving a Missouri man took place in the parking lot of Webster Elementary School in Collinsville after school hours.

Brad Skertich, superintendent of Collinsville Unit School District 10, sent an email to parents and guardians of students, assuring them that no actual children were involved.

“This group had no involvement, agreement or communication with the school district or local law enforcement before, during or after this occurred,” he told the BND. “They were completely on their own.”

In his letter, Skertich called the incident “alarming” and noted that the district had contacted Collinsville Police Department to help it determine how to move forward in light of the Missouri man’s actions and the KTS group’s decision to lure a “potentially dangerous adult” onto school property.

Skertich also urged parental guidance.

“The situation serves as a harsh reminder that we must regularly monitor our children’s internet and phone usage, discuss safe and unsafe practices, and have regular conversations about who they communicate with throughout the day,” he wrote.

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons has reportedly met with KTS members and asked them to start telling police about contacts with suspected pedophiles instead of taking matters into their own hands so proper investigations could lead to criminal charges.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in 2019 that a handful of men had been arrested after being confronted by KTS Predator Hunters or members of a St. Louis group called Truckers Against Predators, but most of those cases were dropped.

“Some local law enforcement officials (said the groups) create volatile situations that should be left to trained professionals, and unleash a form of mob justice that’s hard to control,” the Post reported.

Michigan vigilante Mark A. Hernandez convicted of misdemeanor assault

Mark A. Hernandez is believed to be associated with Predator Poachers Bay Bay City chapter but I cannot confirnm it at this time. If anyone has this loser's mugshot, send it to iamthefallen1@yahoo.com

https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2020/10/youtube-vigilante-in-bay-city-pleads-to-misdemeanor-could-have-charge-dismissed.html

YouTube vigilante in Bay City pleads to misdemeanor, could have charge dismissed

Updated Oct 06, 2020; Posted Oct 06, 2020

BAY CITY, MI — A Bay City man whose vigilante videos on YouTube have gone viral has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor stemming from a confrontation with someone who was recording video of him. He eventually could have the charge dismissed under a sentencing agreement.

Mark A. Hernandez, 28, on Monday, Oct. 5, appeared before Bay County District Judge Mark E. Janer and pleaded guilty to one count of assault and battery. The charge is a one-year misdemeanor.

In exchange for his plea, the prosecution agreed to dismiss a misdemeanor count of malicious destruction of personal property between $200 and $1,000. The prosecution also agreed Hernandez would receive a delayed sentence, meaning that he will effectively be placed on probation for a period of time. If he’s successful on the delay and complies with its terms, the charge to which he pleaded will be dismissed.

Since Feb. 1, Hernandez has posted numerous videos on YouTube of him confronting adult men who he says expected to meet a juvenile boy or girl, akin to the popular Dateline TV segment “To Catch a Predator.” The videos also feature chat logs Hernandez says are of him posing as a minor in discussions with the men as they talk about where and when to meet up.

The charge to which Hernandez pleaded to stems from an incident that occurred about 11:40 a.m. on April 11. At that time, police responded to a dispute in Bay City when a man alleged Hernandez had smashed his wife’s phone as the couple was recording images of Hernandez.

The confrontation followed Hernandez recording a meeting with the couple’s son and posting it on YouTube and social media, they said. The son is not charged with a crime, which is why MLive is not naming him or his parents.

Hernandez told police he approached the truck and recognized its occupants, having previously gone to their house to speak with the father about his son, police reports state.

Judge Janer is to sentence Hernandez at 9:45 a.m. on Nov. 5.

https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2020/09/youtube-vigilante-accused-of-smashing-phone-of-woman-who-confronted-him-in-bay-city.html

YouTube vigilante accused of smashing phone of woman who confronted him in Bay City

Updated Sep 02, 2020; Posted Sep 02, 2020

By Cole Waterman | Cole_Waterman@mlive.com

BAY CITY, MI — Earlier this year, a Bay City man began posting vigilante videos online, showing him meeting men he said he had lured by posing online as a minor. He has since posted more than two dozen videos on YouTube in which he publicly confronts the men.

Mark A. Hernandez says he has no plans to stop his activities although he himself is now facing two misdemeanor charges after someone confronted him. He’s accused of assault and battery and of breaking a smartphone.

Hernandez said Tuesday, Sept. 1, the incident and resulting charges “haven’t let that stop me from still exposing these people who meet minors online. I don’t believe I should stop even with the risk of getting in actual legal trouble.”

About 11:40 a.m. on April 11, police responded to a dispute in Bay City, according to reports obtained by MLive and The Bay City Times through the Freedom of Information Act. The man who had called police alleged Hernandez had smashed the caller’s wife’s phone as the couple was recording images of Hernandez.

The confrontation followed Hernandez, 28, recording a meeting with the couple’s son and posting it on YouTube and social media, they said. Thereafter, Hernandez showed up at their son’s work, the couple said.

The couple drove by Hernandez’s house and the wife used her Samsung Galaxy to record footage of it, they said.

“Mark (Hernandez) came outside and approached our vehicle,” the wife told police. “Mark started yelling at (us) and said that we were stalking him.”

As the couple continued driving slowly, Hernandez reached inside their open window, smacked the wife’s phone from her hand, and threw it to the ground, the wife said. Hernandez continued smashing the device, called the woman a slur, and threatened to knock her out, she told police.

Police also spoke with Hernandez, who was still at the scene and said he was live-streaming their interaction with his own device.

“I am the guy that goes around Bay City exposing child predators,” Hernandez told police, according to their reports. He told them he had been in his backyard that morning with his children when he noticed a truck slowly driving down an alley as a woman within it recorded him.

Hernandez told police he approached the truck and recognized its occupants, having previously gone to their house to speak with the father about his son who had appeared in one of Hernandez’s videos.

“The woman kept recording me and saying my name,” Hernandez said, adding he uses an alias online. “They recorded where I live and now were exposing my real name. I grabbed her phone and smashed it. I never touched her; I just smashed the phone.”

Authorities issued a warrant for Hernandez on April 27 and he was arrested on May 31.

Hernandez has since been arraigned on single counts of assault and battery and malicious destruction of personal property between $200 and $1,000. Both charges are misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year and 93 days in jail, respectively.

The son of the couple Hernandez posted a video of is not charged with a crime.

Since Feb. 1, Hernandez has posted numerous videos on YouTube of him confronting adult men who he says expected to meet a juvenile boy or girl, akin to the popular Dateline TV segment “To Catch a Predator.” The videos also feature chat logs Hernandez says are of him posing as a minor in discussions with the men as they talk about where and when to meet up.

While most of the videos were recorded at sites in Bay City, a few were filmed as far away as Ohio.

Hernandez’s YouTube account has 12,700 subscribers as of Sept. 1 and he has continued posting videos after being charged in connection with the April 11 incident.

At least one of Hernandez’s videos has led to criminal charges against the person depicted. Jeffrey L. Bader, 47, is charged in Tuscola County with accosting a minor for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime. Bader’s trial date in Tuscola County Circuit Court is pending.

Hernandez said Tuesday he has removed the video of him confronting the couple’s adult son from YouTube.

He is to appear in court on Oct. 5 to accept or reject a prosecution’s plea offer.

“I have the video of the incident that went down the day they came to my house and breaking the phone and stuff,” Hernandez said. “My lawyer just told me to let him take care of everything and we’ll set the record straight on the 5th of October.”

Hernandez said he has no plans to stop his YouTube activity.

“I started these videos to help spread awareness [that] there are many children that go through this kind of abuse everywhere and don’t have the voice to speak up about it. Maybe [they are] too scared; maybe [they] don’t wanna get someone in trouble. Either way, I feel exposing these ‘predators’ is potentially the voice of all the kids that are never heard,” he said.

Hernandez said he uses dating apps to meet the adults he later confronts in his videos.

“Of course, I never use minors as my decoys,” he said. “I believe if I were to do that who knows what these people would do with pictures of minors. But they contact me and eventually an age is said that is under the legal age and a lot of the time people are fine with still talking after knowing the age and we talk until a time and place is set up to meet.”

In the immediate aftermath of Hernandez’s posting of his first few videos, police discouraged him and others from making such content.

“I’d encourage everyone to not do it,” said Bay City Public Safety Deputy Director Caleb Rowell previously told MLive. “It complicates the investigation. It’s a very dangerous practice to do. I understand why you might want to do it and the motives behind it may be good, but in the end it creates problems for us, with the chain of evidence and us being able to prove our case. It’s just not safe. We’re worried someone might be doing this with good intentions and end up a victim of violence.”

Bay County Sheriff Troy R. Cunningham expressed similar sentiments.

“We warn people against being vigilantes,” Cunningham has said. “Vigilance is a good thing, but vigilantes don’t know who they’re coming up against. People may forget law enforcement officers are wearing vests and duty gear and are prepared for a situation if it turns for the worst. When a citizen is doing it, they’re a lot better off being a good witness, getting a description, and giving that information to law enforcement to let us investigate.”

Civilian-led stings could “cripple law enforcement’s investigations,” the sheriff added.

Hernandez is not facing any charges related to the production of YouTube videos.

Justin Perry, aka "Mr. 17540", arrested for assaulting and unlawful restraint against a woman

I've stated this time and time again, but most of these self-styled "vigilantes" and "Predator Hunters" are criminals themselves. Here we have yet another vigilante arrested for a violent crime. This does not surprise us. 

In 2018, he was arrested for suspicion of posession of CP and criminal use of a communication facility, although the investigation was never fully completed. 

No mercy for shitty neck-tattooed vigilante fucktards!

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/leola-child-predator-vigilante-charged-with-assaulting-restraining-woman-at-his-home/article_66e419de-04b7-11eb-b04f-ffa563823af1.html

 Leola child-predator vigilante charged with assaulting, restraining woman at his home

 DAN NEPHIN | Staff Writer Oct 2, 2020

The Leola man who made a name for himself as a self-styled vigilante by confronting would-be child predators and shaming them on social media has been charged with assaulting and restraining a woman at his home Wednesday.

Justin Perry, 34, grabbed the woman around noon Wednesday, causing her to fall into a coffee table and cut the back of her head, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by West Earl Township police.

Perry also shoved her onto a bed, straddled her, poked her in the head and head-butted her in the rear of the head, according to the affidavit, and blocked her from leaving the room four or five times. 

The woman called for emergency medical services and was treated, but declined to be taken to a hospital. Perry fled after another household member confronted him, police said. He turned himself in Thursday after police issued a warrant for him.

Perry is free on $7,500 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday before New Holland District Judge Jonathan Heisse. 

Perry referred questions to his attorney, Steven Breit.

"There are two sides to every story," Breit said. "We potentially have evidence to show she had motivation behind this. She flat-out told him, 'I can say what I want and they'll believe me.'"

Perry is known as "Mr. 17540" — Leola's ZIP code — for his vigilante activities, though his Facebook page appeared to be down Friday and his Twitter account has not shown any recent vigilante activity.

Earlier this year, Perry said his predator-catching efforts were on hold because of the coronavirus.

From 2018, Perry conducted about three-dozen stings, some of which resulted in criminal charges and at least one conviction of his targets.