Valpo police warn that growing vigilante efforts put public at risk (2024)

VALPARAISO — Valparaiso police say they understand the desire to protect children from predators, but the department warns that the increasing efforts by vigilante groups are putting those individuals and the general public at risk.

"When law enforcement operations of this nature occur, considerations are taken to protect all parties involved, including the public," police said Thursday when asked by The Times to comment on the growing trend of online vigilante stings.

"Operational planning, prepared by trained professionals, is in place to include contingency plans," the department said. "Moreover, any properly prepared operation also includes coordination with the county prosecutor and those who will handle the criminal prosecutions."

The comments come in the wake of two more recent arrests in Valparaiso, including a 33-year-old man accused of driving two and a half hours on April 13 from Roachdale, Indiana, with the intention of picking up a 13-year-old girl in Valparaiso and taking her back home for sexual purposes, according to a court document.

Jonathan Nail remained behind bars Thursday morning at the Porter County Jail and faces two felony counts of child solicitation.

Each of the Valparaiso arrests in question, which amount to at least five since September, were the result of the efforts of NWI Predator Catchers, who say the men approached their decoy online and pursued the in-person encounters.

The group, which has not responded to requests for comment, including one as recently as Thursday morning, defended its actions on social media this week in the wake of a story in The Times about the May 9 arrest ofLiam Raphael, 19, of Valparaiso, on allegations of attempting to meet up with a 13-year-old girl who was actually a group decoy.

"We do not circumvent the laws," the group wrote. "We do not target individuals. We do not punish people. And we most certainly do not run around in Batman masks and capes and tie subjects up."

The group goes on to say it always obtains enough evidence and promptly turns it over to police. The group denies being a vigilante organization and criticizes the media coverage.

"It's articles such as those that carry negative undertones of what we do and we will not stop because of this," according to the post.

The group wraps up by saying anyone 18 or older, despite their background, should know when they are chatting inappropriately with a possible minor and arranging to meet up.

"From here on out, we will not be discussing the 'morality' of such incidents," the group said.

During the alleged online conversation with a decoy from NWI Predator Catchers, Nail is quoted as saying, "You look older than you(r) age."

"Is that a good thing?" the decoy asks.

"Yes it is a good thing," Nail responds.

Nail allegedly goes on to voice concern about the legal impact of having sexual contact with a child, saying, "It's frowned upon in the US to date some one your age. Other countries don't mind."

Raphael is quoted in his charging information of noticing that the "girl" in the decoy photo posted by NWI Predator Catchers looked older than 13. A group representative reportedly told police the photo used was of his girlfriend.