Peer Post Onethe Tactics 71 Discussion Cyber Crim
After viewing the video Did an FBI Sting Operation in Vegas Cross the Line? and reading the article Who’s the “Predator”? discuss the following questions:
- How do the tactics used in the video and article represent the wave of the future of catching criminals?
- Do you think that human rights were violated? If yes, how?
In response to your peers, propose other tactics that could have been used and describe how you see the tactics supporting a more positive outcome.
Peer post one
The tactics used in the video and article are just the beginning of what is going to be needed to catch criminals in the future. Criminals are getting smarter as the years go on by learning from the failures of others and by learning how to manipulate their actions to avoid arrest. It is imperative that law enforcement abide by the laws and policies and get search warrants for their actions due to the sensitivity of conducting sting type operations. A majority of the crimes are not out in the open like bank robberies, but rather behind closed doors or over the internet. So officers must get creative to either have the criminal come to them or go to the criminal undercover.
The actions of the law enforcement involved in the “Predator” ordeal did not violate the rights of the criminals. The criminals willing drove to a house to have sex with a minor. They were not forced, nor was their any illegal search conducted. The criminals willingly entered the house where they were planning on committing a crime. This set up is no different than an undercover officer selling drugs and then arresting the buyers. Those arrested were read their rights and booked accordingly. They all had their day in court as per law. They were innocent until proven guilty.
With the FBI sting in Vegas, the rights of the criminals were violated. The charges were dropped due to the judges ruling. Even though they were caught knee deep in criminal activity, their 4th amendment right was violated. The officers used deceit to gain entry into the private room of the criminal without a warrant. ” The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause” ( U.S. Const. Amd. IV) The officers should have got a search warrant first based on information gathered. Unfortunately, everything the FBI had on the two criminals was thrown out due to the process the FBI used to gather information.
Peer post two
After reviewing the video and reading the article I have to say no human rights were violated and I think these new strategies do work. Some people would disagree with me but in regards to the video as being smart to catch cybercriminals. The FBI did have probable cause and the people in the room gave “consent”. Going to the article I know people disagree with the tv show To Catch a Predator but I think is another great way to catch criminals. To me, both operations are and should be considered undercover work and as long as there are probable cause I do not see anything wrong with it. The tv show has caught 50 people in one day. I think that is a great success especially for people with children. If you watch the after part of the show you will see that the officers are following protocol and no human rights were violated. People will always have there own opinion and may disagree with the way FBI, police officers and anyone in the criminal justice field in how they do their work but they do take the bad guys off the streets and just want to get home to their own families safe.