Agent Blay and Detective Kenney came up an idea for an undercover sting: Create their own online ad to bust predators prowling the Internet.
Is it just me or does that come perilously close to entrapment?
It's essentially the same method they use when they go after people trying to meet minors off of the internet. I believe that the fine line is the difference between making a direct offer to the predator and the predator initiating the contact and negotiation.
Agent Blay and Detective Kenney came up an idea for an undercover sting: Create their own online ad to bust predators prowling the Internet.
Is it just me or does that come perilously close to entrapment?
It's essentially the same method they use when they go after people trying to meet minors off of the internet. I believe that the fine line is the difference between making a direct offer to the predator and the predator initiating the contact and negotiation.
While the letter of the law may differ, creating an ad or profile offering illegal goods or services is generally considered opening negotiations in practice. The major exception is where there is some sexual element involved. Then it's "casting a net to catch predators."
Entrapment is pretty narrowly defined in US law. An agent can pose as anyone and offer anything, so long as he or she does not convince targets who did not want to procure services or engage in a conspiracy to change their minds. This is usually demonstrated in court by providing proof that the target was given the chance to opt out. A lot of FBI agents spend their time pretending to be terrorist masterminds or hitmen online.