Local viral video sparks debate over predator catcher groups in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS - A viral video from a popular online predator catcher operating in Indianapolis is renewing debates over amateur vigilante groups attempting to catch pedophiles.




In a video viewed over three million times online, livestreamer JiDion is shown confronting a man outside of a volleyball complex on the east side of Indianapolis. JiDion, real name Jidon Adams, is a self-proclaimed "pedophile hunter" who uses the internet to catch sex offenders.




Several local groups, including Indianapolis police and local prosecutors, have since commented on the video, with some raising concerns about the legality of the alleged evidence collected by these citizen-led groups.

Viral video

In the viral video, the streamer claims a local volleyball coach had been speaking inappropriately to someone on Grindr whom the coach allegedly believed was a 14-year-old boy. JiDion is shown holding photos of genitalia that were allegedly sent by the coach to the fake 14-year-old.




Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers can be seen in the video talking with JiDion, who explains why he thinks the man should be arrested for allegedly sending the inappropriate photos.




"He was telling the 14-year-old boy how he was a coach for volleyball," the streamer tells officers. "Obviously, you can see the alarm with that, especially with him being with boys 24/7."




A male officer is then heard responding by telling JiDion that charges against this man would not stick in Marion County due to a lack of probable cause and evidence.




"I have run into this before," the IMPD officer said. "Our prosecutor will not touch this."




"So what are you going to do?" JiDion asks.




"Nothing," the IMPD officer responds.




JiDion then angrily responds to the officer, indignant that no arrest will be made.




"Well, today's your lucky day," the streamer says to the man he confronted. "You can rape as many 14-year-old boys as you want."




The video of the confrontation has since amassed over 2.5 million views on JiDion's TikTok page alone. Many of the users in the comments are upset over how the situation was handled.




"No wonder these pred catchers beat them up instead," one user said.




"This is legit evidence for why vigilante justice is necessary," another said.




However, local public safety officials seem to share a different sentiment regarding these vigilante justice groups and warn that confronting potential criminals on camera for views can possibly compromise investigations and put innocent people in danger.

Amateur groups 'compromise investigations'

Despite many being upset over the viral video, IMPD said in a statement Tuesday that it lacked "important context." Officers were reportedly called around 7:30 p.m. on July 22 to 6635 E. 30th Street to take a report from JiDion.




"At the scene, a police report was filed, and the individual in question was immediately trespassed from the property," IMPD said on Facebook. "IMPD Detectives were also notified of the allegations."




The police report, which can be read here, states that officers took a report of an alleged child solicitation. The media narrative reads: "Officers responded to a trouble with a person." No other information was provided and a suspect name is not listed.




"We urge members of the public: if you suspect a crime involving a child or adult, please report it directly to law enforcement," IMPD wrote. "Attempting to intervene independently or record content for social media can compromise investigations and endanger those involved."




The Marion County Prosecutor's Office also responded to the video on Wednesday in a statement to FOX59/CBS4. The statement does not directly address the video, but rather predator catcher groups in general.




"We strongly encourage individuals to report suspected incidents to law enforcement as early as possible. Early reporting not only helps ensure the safety of those at risk but also preserves critical evidence so that it meets the legal and ethical standards required to be admissible in court.




We want law enforcement to investigate potential crimes of abuse- and we want to prosecute them. The Marion County Child Advocacy Center has always worked closely with law enforcement to consult, thoroughly review, and strengthen any case brought forward. Those efforts will continue without exception."




- MCPO Spokesperson Michael Leffler




Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears is not alone in these views of predator catcher groups, with other central Indiana prosecutors previously speaking out about them.

'Do not confront them'

After seeing a rise in local predator catcher group incidents around 2021, FOX59/CBS4 reporter Jesse Wells spoke with several area prosecutors about the legality of such amateur operations.




"Do not confront these individuals," said Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood. "You're placing yourself in danger, and you're placing other people in danger."




Eastwood filed child solicitation charges in January 2021 against a man named Brian Boyer after he was reported to police by a vigilante group. Despite the filing, Eastwood admitted he had serious concerns about the way groups pose as minors to lure child predators into meeting.




"They are not trained law enforcement officers on how to obtain evidence, so all this work often goes for naught," said Eastwood.




Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman has spoken up in the past about safety concerns related to these groups.




"All of these encounters happen in public places," Hoffman said. "If somebody pulls a gun and opens fire, an innocent person is going to get killed. It's just a matter of time."




Hoffman also pointed out multiple legal and ethical issues that exist with vigilante groups. He said one specific rule prohibits prosecutors from making extrajudicial comments on cases like the videos the group posts online.




"The very second they upload that video, the case is done," Hoffman explained.




In Madison County, Prosecutor Rodney Cummings said he will never again prosecute a case involving a vigilante group.




"It doesn't matter to me what the motive is. It's too dangerous," Cummings said. "It's far too dangerous for citizens to take the law into their own hands. Someone's going to get hurt."




The prosecutor's comments came after suspect Clifford Pierce III pleaded guilty to child solicitation after conversations with Predator Catchers Muncie led to a live confrontation at a Dollar General in Alexandria.




While Cummings and other prosecutors have since abandoned prosecuting cases from vigilante groups, other counties have continued to move forward with these cases.

Predator catcher arrests in Indiana

Predator catcher groups operating in central Indiana have seen success in the past. In fact, JiDion himself was involved in a local arrest earlier this year.




Ronald Soliday, 47, was arrested in April by Marion police and charged in Grant County with child solicitation.




Court documents state that on April 12, Soliday intentionally made contact with what he believed to be a 13-year-old child. Soliday is accused of soliciting the child for sex and agreeing to meet up with the child, who turned out to be a fake account run by JiDion.




In 2023, a Predator Catchers group helped lead police to arrest a former Anderson University professor. Scott Borders, 63, later pleaded guilty to child solicitation and dealing meth.




Last year, an Indianapolis man named Demetrius A. King was arrested after chatting with an account run by Predator Catchers Incorporated. King reportedly thought he was meeting up with a 13-year-old girl in Vigo County, but was instead arrested and charged with child solicitation.




In May 2021, a former police officer from Portland, Indiana, was arrested and accused of child solicitation by a vigilante group. Joshua Clark was found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison.




Hendricks County prosecutors said Clark drove over a hundred miles to come to Avon to meet with a child. However, he was confronted by members of Predator Catchers Indianapolis, who posed as a 14-year-old girl to arrange the meeting.

Moving forward

FOX59/CBS4 is now tracking to see if charges are filed against the volleyball coach whom JiDion confronted. As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, no charges have been filed.




Despite some successes by local vigilante groups, prosecutors and police officials warn that you should never confront a criminal suspect alone. Instead, you are encouraged to reach out to police and turn over all evidence to them.




This article contains reporting from Jesse Wells and Max Lewis.





via: https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/local-viral-video-sparks-debate-over-predator-catcher-groups-in-indiana/