01-07-2025
3 arrested after allegedly assaulting a man who they say tried to meet a 14-year-old for sex
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Three people are under investigation for allegedly assaulting a Bakersfield man who they say tried to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex.
The three are accused of posing as the girl online, setting a meet up and robbing a man in the process.
Child predator vigilantes: a relatively new social media trend, in which regular people pose as a young boy or girl online. This type of vigilante justice was popularized by Twitch live streamers and YouTube channels.
Sergeant Dennis Eddy with Bakersfield police says these operations don't help the police department or the victim.
'While the vigilantes are getting clicks on his Instagram page, the suspect is deleting his messages off of his phone. He's getting rid of the digital evidence he might have,' said Sgt. Eddy.
On Thursday, one of these vigilante stings got violent.
In a search warrant obtained by 17 News, the sheriff's office was called to a home on Enger Street, regarding a suspicious investigation involving an adult.
When deputies arrived, 21-year-old Michael Mercure told them he used a snapchat account, posing as a 14-year-old girl, and had messaged a man, and arranged a meet-up. Inside the home was 21-year-old Jaiden Day and 18-year-old Mackenzie Munoz; both believed to have taken part of what happened next.
The man appeared to have been physically assaulted, handcuffed on one hand and had his head partially shaved.
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He told police that during the incident someone stole his $1000 dollar gold necklace and his wallet with $300 dollars in cash. Instead of the alleged child predator going to jail, the trio was taken.
Sgt. Eddy says this is common with predator-vigilante cases.
'They could be wrong. Meaning that they haven't met the elements of what constitutes a crime but they're going there pretending that they have met that established law and they haven't yet. By detaining them or by holding them against their will, they are committing a crime,' Sgt. Eddy said.
Sgt. Eddy says the best way to help catch child predators, is to contact law enforcement.
'What really helps the victim, is reaching out to law enforcement who know how to work these cases,' said Sgt. Eddy.
We reached out to the sheriff's office and asked if the man who was allegedly assaulted was going to be arrested, but as of newstime we haven't heard back.
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