Kyle Swanson, formerly of KTS Predator Hunters in Illinois, moved to Texas and formed a new vigilante group, with predictable results

The last time we reported on Kyle Swanson, head of the controversial "KTS Predator Hunters" vigilante group, after facing felony charges including unlawful restraint, obstruction of justice, and assault in Madison County, Illinois for his vigilante actions.

Swanson was able to have his charges dismissed in Illinois under the following conditions:

• Swanson agrees to not violate any criminal statutes of any jurisdictions within the United States.
• Swanson agrees to cease his “sting” operations in Madison County, IL., whether as an individual, as “KTS,” or as a member of a similar organization.
• Swanson agrees to cooperate with any investigations or pending criminal cases concerning his “sting” operations in Madison County, including providing all digital evidence if requested.
• Swanson agrees to provide proof of medical/mental health treatment for self-disclosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by May 6, 2022.
• Swanson agrees to participate in 20 hours of community service and provide proof of said compliance by May 6, 2022.

After getting a slap on the wrist for his crimes, Kyle Swanson relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area. Upon arriving in DFW he couldn’t help his attention seeking addictive ways and started a new vigilante group with accompanying Facebook page called DFW Exposures. (Not to be confused with "DFW Exposed," a website that covers local events.) Likely knowing he'd be discovered he's still engaging in criminal activity and possible go back to jail in Illinois, Swanson began posting new vigilante entrapment operations on Facebook under the alias "Kyle Guerrido". 

For nearly two years, Swanson posted new entrapment operations under the alias “Kyle Guerrido” and obtained the support and assistance from Courtney Fenner, co-host of a small-time “true-crime” podcast named “A Nefarious Nightmare.”

In 2023, Swanson attempted two GoFundMe fundraisers, one claiming his equipment was damaged in a sting operation (later admitting that was not entirely true):

...and money to go to Hawaii to entrap “a sailor”. 

DFW also sold T-Shirts with their silly new logo and another derogatory phrase ripped off from BLM:

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Twitter accounts associated with DFW Exposures promote right-wing extremism:

But in September 2023, DFW Exposures posted a message they were shutting down operations...

...and Fenner posted a GoFundMe on Swanson’s behalf begging for donations for legal fees. (We assume he’s being sued for harassment based on what was wriiirn). 

Swanson now claims he’s moving to Florida to help start an organization helping disbled vets learn to Scuba and hopefully leave online vigilante violence once and for all. The DFW Exposures YouTube channel was renamed to "Hernando Beach Diving With Heroes." 

If this is causing Kyle Swanson stress, GOOD. Fucking retire already! He's been in legal trouble numerous times and he has NOBODY to blame but himself. And Courtney Fenner is an enabler who is putting herself in trouble of getting caught up in Swanson's criminal activity. Swanson should be in jail right now. BUT if this Veteran Scuba charity idea takes off, Swanson has the chance to rehabilitate from being the worthless vigilante thug he's been for the past few years. For once, he'll have a REAL job that helps people. So take my advice...retire.

Scumbag Kyle P. Swanson of KTS Predator Hunters gets off with a slap on the wrist

I wonder if this dipshit prosecutor gives the same consideration to any other first time offender besides this SOB. Seriously, 20 hours of community service for two felonies? 

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.

"I'm done with it": Kyle Swanson of KTS Predator Hunters plans on moving to FloriDUH after dissolving vigilante group.

The only disappointment in all this is that GoFundMe chose to keep up the fundraiser despite it violating their serms of service, which states it cannot be used to raise money for lawsuits where bullying was involved. 

https://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/predator-hunter-moves-to-dissolve-organization-and-fight-charges-in-madison-county/article_d5c89482-7862-5ab6-a37f-de81af7241e1.html

'Predator hunter' moves to dissolve organization and fight charges in Madison County

Teri Maddox Belleville News-Democrat Jun 7, 2021

Kyle Swanson's name has become synonymous with an effort to expose and shame suspected pedophiles, but he's shutting down the organization he founded three years ago.

The decision follows his May 6 indictment by a Madison County grand jury and May 20 arrest on three charges, including two felonies and one misdemeanor, related to a January meeting with a man that resulted in videotaped footage being posted on YouTube.

Swanson said in an interview Sunday that he's taking legal steps to dissolve KTS Predator Hunters, a limited liability company that began as a nonprofit organization in 2018.

"I'm done with it," said Swanson, 30, of Wood River, formerly of Belleville and Alton. "I just have mental exhaustion with all the legal issues (and other pushback)."

Swanson has hired attorney Don Weber, of the Edwardsville-based Craney Law Group, to represent him in the criminal case. Weber is a former state's attorney for Madison and Ford counties, former assistant Illinois attorney general and former Third Judicial Circuit Court judge.

Swanson said he has reached a fundraising goal of $10,000 for his defense, including more than $8,000 from a GoFundMe campaign and $2,000 from sales of T-shirts that read, "Stand with Kyle."

"I dislike (the idea of KTS shutting down)," said fellow leader T.J. Pfleger, 37, an IT specialist who lives in Jersey County. "But I understand why he's doing it, knowing what he's been through and what it takes to do something like this."

Swanson, a U.S. Army combat veteran, said last month that legal problems have worsened his post-traumatic stress disorder.

Support and controversy

KTS leaders posted photos, videos and other information on Facebook to expose and shame people they suspected of being pedophiles. They sometimes posed as underage girls online and lured men to various locations, presumably to have sex; videotaped the confrontations and broadcast them on YouTube.

KTS leaders say their undercover operations have led to arrests, but they've also been criticized by law enforcement for vigilantism that can interfere with investigations and prosecutions.

KTS: Stop Sexual Assault, one of the organization's Facebook groups, has more than 51,000 followers.

Despite what critics claim, Swanson said, he has made very little money off KTS activities. He works as an auto mechanic.

"We were trying to do a good thing, trying to spread awareness throughout the community," he said. "It kinda sucks that we have to end it this way. It is what it is. ... But it was nice to see the community support and to let people know what's going on out there."

Pfleger said he joined Swanson's effort because he's a father of four and because several years ago a stranger tried to pick up his small son from the front yard.

Pfleger said he and Swanson were more aggressive during meetings with suspected pedophiles in the beginning, but they learned that a calmer approach could be more effective in getting men to open up about their own child abuse and other issues.

"I hate to see (KTS) come to an end," Pfleger said. "I just feel like it was making a difference. ... Even if it keeps one person away from the kids, then that's a success in my mind."

Grand jury indictment

The grand jury reviewed evidence on May 6 from an Illinois State Police investigation before indicting Swanson on one count of unlawful restraint and one count of obstruction of justice/destroying evidence, both Class 4 felonies; and one count of assault, a Class C misdemeanor.

The charges revolve around a meeting between Swanson and another man on Jan. 12 at an unnamed location in Madison County.

"(Swanson) knowingly and without legal authority detained (the man), in that the said defendant enticed (the man) into his vehicle under a false pretense and refused to let (the man) exit the vehicle when requested," according to the indictment for Count 1.

"(Swanson) knowingly caused physical evidence to be destroyed, altered, concealed, in that said defendant induced (the man and a woman) to erase digital evidence of a crime contained on a phone," according to the indictment for Count 2.

"(Swanson) engaged in conduct that places another in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery, in that he threatened to hit (the man)," according to the indictment for Count 3.

Last month, Swanson called the charges "B.S." and a "scare tactic." He said the man, who the BND isn't naming because he hasn't been charged with a crime, entered his car voluntarily.

Swanson turned himself into authorities on May 20. He was released after posting the required 10% of his $40,000 bond.

'Peaceful' protest

A preliminary hearing on the Swanson case is scheduled for Friday with Associate Judge Ronald Slemer presiding. Supporters are advertising on Facebook a "peaceful" protest at 9 a.m. outside the Madison County Criminal Justice Center in Edwardsville.

Class 4 felonies can carry penalties of one to three years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines. Class C misdemeanors can carry penalties of up to 30 days in jail and up to $1,500 in fines.

State's Attorney Tom Haine released the following statement about the Swanson case on May 24:

"The Grand Jury's decision here reflects the fundamental idea that when members of a community decide to take justice into their own hands, even for laudable purposes, they can place themselves and others in danger and damage potential cases.

"We have tremendous law enforcement agencies in Madison County, and the public needs to let them do their job. Having a citizenry that is observant of suspicious behavior and criminal activity is important, but citizens must utilize the existing law enforcement channels to ensure that true justice is pursued, where criminals are caught and exposed but with sufficient evidence that can hold up in a court of law and sustain a conviction, all the while respecting each individual's right to presumed innocence under our Constitutional system.

"When members of a community decide to take justice into their own hands, they can place themselves and others in danger, damage potential cases, and violate citizen's fundamental rights."

Campaign for sheriff

In November, Swanson announced his plan to run for Madison County sheriff in 2022. His Facebook campaign page includes a badge-shaped logo with an image of him wearing a cowboy hat and his trademark bushy beard.

But on Sunday, Swanson said he plans to move to Florida, where many of his family members live, after the criminal case is over, if he's not jailed.

Friday won't be his first courtroom experience.

A Red Bud man filed a civil lawsuit against Swanson and KTS in September 2020 in Randolph County Circuit Court. Adrian Collins maintained that the organization had wrongly defamed him on Facebook by accusing him of "grooming" a 14-year-old girl for sex in private messages.

Collins filed a motion for voluntary dismissal in December, and a judge granted it on March 22. Swanson declared victory in a Facebook Live chat with followers while leaving the Chester courthouse.

Last fall, Collinsville School District Unit 10 officials expressed concern in a letter to parents that KTS had engaged in one of its sting-like operations in the parking lot of Webster Elementary School.

The target was a Missouri man who allegedly thought he was meeting a 13-year-old girl. Instead, he faced two KTS members, who interrogated and reprimanded him for about 10 minutes as a video camera recorded the scene.

The organization argued that it occurred after school hours, put no child in danger and succeeded in showing the brazenness of some pedophiles.

Kyle Swanson of KTS Predator Hunters arrested for Unlawful Restraint, Obstruction of Justice, and Assault

 

Vigilante thug Kyle Swanson doesn't like his mugshot being out there for all the world to see. So I'm reposting it. 

By the way, report his GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kyle-swanson-legal-fees

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/05/28/vigilante-predator-hunter-kyle-swanson/

A vigilante ‘predator hunter’ clashed with police and prosecutors. Now, he’s the one facing felony charges.

By: Katie Shepherd

May 28, 2021 at 9:02 a.m. UTC

For more than two years, Kyle Swanson and his vigilante group have been tricking men in St. Louis to meet in parking lots by posing as children on social media and then live-streaming the confrontations for tens of thousands of followers.

Swanson, a bearded and tattooed 30-year-old from Wood River, Ill., claims that he has helped police jail hundreds of would-be pedophiles since launching KTS Predator Hunters in 2019.

But now he is the one facing criminal charges after a Jan. 12 sting went awry.

A grand jury this month indicted Swanson for unlawful restraint and obstructing justice, both felonies, as well as misdemeanor assault, after he allegedly lured a man into his car in Madison County, Ill., refused to let him leave, and threatened to hit him.

“The Grand Jury’s decision here reflects the fundamental idea that when members of a community decide to take justice into their own hands, even for laudable purposes, they can place themselves and others in danger and damage potential cases,” Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine said in a statement shared with The Washington Post.

Swanson has denied wrongdoing on his social media accounts and denounced law enforcement’s decision to charge him.

“They are protecting the pedophiles over me,” he said in a TikTok video this week. “I’ve done nothing but try to do good. I try to protect kids, and now they’re screwing me over.”

Madison County law enforcement officials have been feuding with Swanson’s group since its inception, the Telegraph reported last year.

The former Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons had previously warned Swanson that his sting operations could easily devolve into violence and jeopardize criminal cases because his tactics made it “virtually impossible for us to charge somebody.” He urged the group to stop setting up meetings with suspected pedophiles. The Madison County sheriff similarly asked Swanson and his partners to call police with tips instead of confronting people without any law enforcement involvement.

Last year, one of the men that KTS Predator Hunters targeted sued the group for defamation and claimed that the group’s posts about him had led his family to be ceaselessly harassed by Swanson’s followers.

“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 lawsuit alleged, the Belleville News-Democrat reported. That case was dismissed in March, according to court records.

In September a local school district blasted Swanson for convincing a “potentially dangerous adult” to meet him in the parking lot of an elementary school, without warning police or school officials.

Although Swanson claims that his group’s efforts to name and shame pedophiles have led to hundreds of arrests, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in 2019 that many of those cases ultimately fell apart because prosecutors lacked the evidence needed to secure convictions.

Swanson credits NBC’s “Dateline: To Catch A Predator” with inspiring his group. The show, hosted by Chris Hansen, became a household name when it aired from 2004 to 2007, but was often criticized for blurring the line between news and entertainment. Hansen worked with volunteers who posed as children online and enticed men to meet them in sting houses, where police would swoop in to make an arrest as a camera crew recorded the encounter.

The show ultimately ended its run after a 2007 confrontation led a man to shoot and kill himself as police and a film crew forced their way into his home. The family sued NBC, claiming that the studio “steamrolled” police and pressured officers to make an arrest without taking proper precautions. A U.S. district judge said the evidence in the case might convince a jury that the network had “crossed the line from responsible journalism to irresponsible and reckless intrusion into law enforcement.” NBC eventually settled the suit in 2008 with an undisclosed payment.

Similar concerns that Swanson’s live-streamed confrontations could lead to violence have prompted local law enforcement to condemn KTS Predator Hunters.

On Jan. 12, Swanson convinced a man to meet him in a parking lot in Madison County, Ill., and “enticed” him to enter his car under a “false pretense,” according to the grand jury indictment. Prosecutors did not describe the incident in detail, but said that it was related to Swanson’s KTS Predator Hunters activities.

As Swanson confronted the man, he asked to leave but Swanson refused to let him exit the vehicle, according to the indictment. At some point during the encounter, Swanson allegedly threatened to hit the man.

Prosecutors allege that because of Swanson’s ambush, the man deleted evidence of a crime from his phone, which interfered with a possible criminal investigation.

“When members of a community decide to take justice into their own hands, they can place themselves and others in danger, damage potential cases, and violate citizen’s fundamental rights,” Haine said this week when he announced the criminal charges against Swanson.

The St. Louis-area group charges fees for fans to subscribe to bonus content on its website. KTS Predator Hunters has posted dozens of videos for tens of thousands of followers on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

After Swanson’s arrest this week, the group also began promoting a fundraiser on GoFundMe to pay for his legal fees.

Swanson declared in December that he plans to run for Madison County Sheriff in 2022, and began selling campaign stickers online. On his campaign Facebook page, KTS Predator Hunters said the group had temporarily shut down while Swanson deals with the “ridiculous charges” against him.

After spending the past two years publicly shaming others in videos and photos online, Swanson said the negative publicity from his own arrest had been a strain.

“Past few days have been hell for me,” Swanson said in a Facebook post on Wednesday. “Nothing like getting up, opening your phone and seeing your mug shot everywhere. I know it’s not just me, but I feel like my picture is every third post on my timeline.”

Here are a few of my favorite comments in the Washington Post comment area to this article:

"The beard alone is a prosecutable offense."

"Why doesn't he just become a police officer if he wants to protect kids?  It doesn't take much to become a police officer.  Trying to play super hero!"

--It probably takes more than what he has to offer.

--He would have to shave. 

--It's like all those fat-bellied idiots who strut around wagging guns and calling themselves "militias" or "state guards" or whatever silly terminology they want to use. Why don't they join the military and be real soldiers?  Because it's TOO MUCH WORK!!  They couldn't sit around drinking beer every afternoon and boasting about how tough they are -- they'd have to actually DO things!  Work out!  Take showers!  Take orders!  Jump out of airplanes -- go on 20-mile hikes in full battle rattle -- get shot at -- drive trucks up mountain roads with no guardrails and no 7-Elevens with sausage-biscuits --This yahoo likes boasting.  He loves the attention.  Being a cop is too much hard work.

"So the guy who has been posting and live streaming other's supposed criminal activity online for profit is now complaining his life is he!! because his mug shot is being posted online after his arrest for abduction. Sounds about right."

"What happened to making a citizen's arrest?"

--You need an IQ over 30.  This bozo failed by about 20 points. But listen to him whine - he's a master at that.

-- -- that's cute that you think he even registers an IQ as a positive number

"C'mon, ask the question we all want answered: Whom did he vote for?"

-- The bad beard is a clue.

"Can't I act like a clueless imbecile without people criticizing me?"

"So many of the world's problems can be directly traced to the internet providing a forum for erstwhile basement dwellers. This case exists simply because this guy has a public forum to showcase his douchey superhero exploits. I guarantee you he would not be out saving the world without an audience to monetize him and stroke his ego."

"Let me guess.  This guy is QAnon and MAGA, although there’s no real difference between the two."

"Sounds like he monetized his wanna be cop role play."

"I'm guessing Kyle Swanson is trying to deflect a long history of engaging in pedophilia."

Kyle Swanson speaks in the third person. He thinks he's The rock, apparently.

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.