Editor’s note: Vigilante justice involves individuals or groups taking law enforcement into their own hands without legal authority, often because they believe police or the justice system aren’t acting quickly or effectively enough. In the fight against child exploitation, this has led to a rise in vigilante predator stings — citizen-led efforts to catch alleged online child predators. These stings, frequently posted on platforms like YouTube, Facebook and TikTok, are part of a growing trend of amateur investigations. While the intent is often to protect children, these actions can undermine official Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force operations and raise serious legal, ethical and safety concerns.
An interesting phenomenon has been occurring across the United States: the rise of citizen-led vigilante justice groups targeting individuals suspected of child exploitation. Fueled by social media and the drive for viral content, these groups — often posing as minors online — attempt to lure and confront suspected online predators, frequently capturing the encounters on video to post online.
These self-appointed, unsanctioned groups operate outside the law, often conducting the vigilante predator stings without coordination — or approval — from law enforcement.
My initial response, from the lens of a retired law enforcement officer, is instinctive: these citizen-led predator investigations should be left to trained professionals. My gut reaction is to dismiss these vigilante justice groups as clout-chasers more interested in likes and clicks than justice. But as I reflect more deeply, I’m beginning to question whether this is the full story.
When faith in the judicial system breaks down
History tells us that when the public loses faith in the justice system, it often takes matters into its own hands. This doesn’t make the actions right or legal — but it does highlight a growing dissatisfaction with our institutional responses to serious crimes like child exploitation.
A parallel can be drawn to the increasing use of civil courts by sexual assault survivors. Rather than pursuing criminal prosecution, many victims now seek justice through civil litigation, where the burden of proof is lower (“preponderance of evidence” vs. “beyond a reasonable doubt”), and the goal is financial redress for pain, suffering, or loss. [1] This shift in venue reflects a broader discontent with criminal justice outcomes, especially when conviction and sentencing rates are abysmal.
Why citizen-led predator stings are rising
According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), only about 28% of sexual assaults are reported to police. Of those, approximately 50.8% result in an arrest — and only 16.3% end with the perpetrator serving time in prison. [2] That is a staggering breakdown in accountability. Is it any wonder that survivors and citizens alike are seeking alternative paths?
The same public dissatisfaction is now emerging in child exploitation cases. The recent proliferation of vigilante groups may be alarming, but it speaks volumes. The reality is that many of these individuals believe the system isn’t doing enough to stop those who harm children.
A recent case in Maryland is a stark example of how poorly these amateur stings can go. In a state where the age of consent is 16, a vigilante group lured a man to meet what they believed was a minor for a sexual encounter. The confrontation turned violent, and multiple college students were arrested for assault and hate crimes. [3]
Similarly, in Missouri, the leader of the Predator Poachers, an online vigilante group, was arrested after the group attempted to carry out a sting on a suspected pedophile but ended up interfering with a legitimate law enforcement efforts. [4] As a former ICAC investigator, I understand why agencies are issuing press releases distancing themselves from these groups. These operations are legally and operationally risky.
Yet I also believe these incidents force law enforcement to ask tough questions. Why is the public resorting to this? And more importantly, how are we failing?
Funding failures and broken priorities
In my time with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in New York State, it was common for individuals found possessing or distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to receive probation — no incarceration — unless there were significant aggravating factors. That reality is hard to reconcile with the gravity of the crime.
Part of the problem is systemic underfunding. Despite the Protect Our Children Act of 2008 authorizing $60 million annually, ICAC Task Forces have never received more than $32.9 million in appropriations. [5] The result? ICAC units are overwhelmed, under-resourced and unable to keep up with the deluge of cyber tips.
“There are no vigilante groups inspecting tractor-trailers. Why? Because that system works.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) awarded nearly $480 million in 2024 to support commercial vehicle inspections. [6] I am not suggesting truck safety isn’t important — but the contrast is telling. There are no vigilante groups inspecting tractor-trailers. Why? Because that system works. There is infrastructure, funding and enforcement. But when it comes to child predators online, the public sees a vacuum — and some step in to fill it.
Let me be clear: I do not support vigilante justice operations. They are reckless, dangerous and legally problematic. But I do understand what they signify — a cry of frustration from a public that believes the system is not protecting children.
In 2022, over 550,000 children in the U.S. were confirmed victims of abuse or neglect. [7] The United States also hosts more child sexual abuse material online than any other country. [8] These are national emergencies, not niche concerns.
Is vigilante justice the solution?
We need to properly fund ICAC task forces, state prosecutors and judicial training. Law enforcement officers and district attorneys must be equipped and trained to pursue these cases relentlessly. We need public policy that prioritizes child protection over political posturing. And we need sentencing practices that reflect the severity of the crimes committed.
If the justice system begins to deliver real results, the appeal of vigilante justice will fade. Until then, we must understand that these groups are symptoms of a deeper illness — not the disease itself.
References
1. Crouch M. (2019). Civil justice for victims of sexual violence: Exploring the potential of tort law. University of Pennsylvania Journal of Law and Social Change, 22(4), 465–498.
2. RAINN. (n.d.). The criminal justice system: Statistics. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.
3. Shen, A. (2024, November 8). Salisbury University students charged in vigilante attack in Maryland. USA Today.
4. Police1. (2024, March). Online vigilante group leader arrested trying to take down alleged pedophile, Mo. officers say.
5. Raven. (2024). ICAC Task Force funding falls short amid rising child exploitation threats. Raven News Network.
6. Trucking Dive. (2024, June). FMCSA awards $480M for commercial vehicle inspections.
7. National Children’s Alliance. (2023). National statistics on child abuse.
8. WeProtect Global Alliance. (2023). Global threat assessment 2023.
