Law enforcement turns a blind eye to crimes committed against people merely accused of a sexual offense, which encourages scum like Swanson. Vigilantes are emboldened by stories like this because they know even if the police arrest them, the prosecutor won't try hard to convict.
I can only hope at this point that Swanson decides to bully the wrong person and gets a dose of his own medicine.
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Swanson-receives-deferred-prosecution-16592353.php
Swanson receives deferred prosecution
Ron DeBrock
ronald.debrock@thetelegraph.com
Nov. 4, 2021
EDWARDSVILLE — Kyle P. Swanson, the former head of KTS (Keep Them Safe) Predator Hunters, LLC, has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Madison County State’s Attorney’s office.
Begun in 2019, the group was known for independent sting operations where they would confront and record people they accused of attempting to meet up with under-aged victims.
On May 6, Swanson, 31, of Wood River, was indicted for unlawful restraint and obstructing justice, both Class 4 felonies, and assault, a Class C misdemeanor, stemming from a Jan. 12 incident. One month later, KTS Predator Hunters announced it was ending its work.
Last week Swanson, a veteran, entered into the deferred prosecution agreement with Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine. Now living in Fort Worth, Texas, Swanson agreed to discontinue any predator sex stings in Madison County. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss the case against Swanson, but reserved the right to reinstate the case if he does not meet the terms of the agreement.
“It is the policy of this office to give first-time offenders, especially those with honorable military service, due consideration in the disposition of cases,” Haine said. “We seek to balance the demands of justice with a culture of second chances.”
The agreement states it is in the best interest that Swanson “obtain employment and lead a law-abiding life from this day forward.”
Swanson also agreed to participate in 20 hours of community service, to provide proof of treatment for his self-disclosed post-traumatic stress disorder, and to cooperate with any investigations or pending criminal cases concerning his “sting” operations in Madison County, including providing all digital evidence if requested.
Madison County officials had been at odds with KTS Predator Hunters over its methods. At least one lawsuit had been filed against the group after the subject of one of their operations lost his job.
Court documents state that, on Jan. 12, Swanson detained and threatened a man he “enticed” into his vehicle, and then tried to destroy evidence in the form of cell phone videos. Swanson posted a $40,000 bond and was released.
In July 2020 KTS Predator Hunters and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department became involved in a dispute over an incident in a Walgreens parking lot. Both Alton and Madison County law enforcement officials said they received either no or haphazard information prior to the actual incident.
KTS Predator Hunters was credited with helping expose potential pedophiles. Group members would converse online with men who thought they were chatting with underage girls and, eventually, arrange face-to-face meetings during which suspects would be met by law enforcement officials instead of teenagers — many times while KTS taped or live-streamed the meeting for its 40,000-plus followers.
At one point Swanson had posted on the group’s Facebook page that he planned to run as a write-in for Madison County Sheriff in 2022.
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