After trapping an alleged sex predator in a botched sting, a Minnesota man who goes by the name Midwest Predator Catcher is sentenced to four years in prison.#Minnesota #Rochester, Minnesota #News #Crime
MNI’s RochesterGood intentions can easily turn into criminal activity in the murky world of internet vigilantism. When his self-appointed justice mission landed him in jail, 30-year-old Chase Tanner Johnston of Rochester, Minnesota—who called himself the Midwest Predator Catcher—learned this lesson the hard way.
The Sting Operation That Backfired
Johnston set up a complex trap that would finally lead to his own legal demise on a summer day in July 2023. Under false pretenses, he enticed a man to an apartment complex using a fake social media presence. Initially claiming to be 20 years old, Johnston purposefully changed his age to 16 in order to set up a situation that would reveal possible sexual misconduct.
When the intended victim showed up, Johnston’s strategy became combative. He physically stopped the man from leaving the flat by blocking the exit, starting a confrontation that was captured on camera. The targeted person called Rochester police to report that he had been placed in a precarious situation and unlawfully held.
A Complex Legal Resolution
Johnston’s actions prompted a prompt response from the legal system. He was found guilty of stalking in September and sentenced to 48 months in jail. A 51-month sentence for a felony driving while intoxicated (DWI) conviction in Olmsted County will run concurrently with this term.
The case relied heavily on digital evidence. Investigators looked at message exchanges, including conversations about marijuana and the sending of sexual photos, that exposed Johnston’s deceptive communication style. The messages made clear how deliberate Johnston’s online entrapment strategy was.
In his hostile response, Johnston claimed the targeted individual planned to interact with a minor, which led to his detention. But in the end, his self-described function as a predator catcher was undermined by the intricate digital trail and his own violent behavior.
This case is a clear warning that vigilante justice can have major legal ramifications in addition to being ineffectual. People who take matters into their own hands run the risk of becoming criminals themselves, and there are established law enforcement procedures to look into and deal with possible criminal activity.
CONNECTED TOPICS: Minnesota Crime
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