I don't get it. Cops use this kind of sting operation all the time, don't they?
I think the cops go through certain procedures to make sure the perp actually commits some sort of crime.
Cops do.
When date line does it the perverts will scream entrapment. and they may be right.
In a normal sting, you bait the alleged perp to a point of no return. I sat on a jury regarding a prostituion sting case once and we debated this. How far is far enough to say a crime was committed if the sting ends before the crime actually takes place?
In my case, the offer for money was considered enough. In an underage sex sting, I don't know how far it has to go. Maybe "Dateline" should have had a skanky teen in a dimly lit room only to surprise the perp when he makes his move.
I think that this comes from a recent (federal, I think) court ruling in Kansas City.
A prominent KC attourney was arrested for exactly this sort of thing. The perv actually went to meet the "child," but was arrested in a sting. While the guy was convicted (I think), the judge threw out the conviction, because the "child" was actually a police officer. Since there was actually no child involved, no crime was committed, according to the judge.
In drug stings, illegal drugs are bought, so a crime is committed during the sting. But (this is how it was explained to me), since no child was actually involved, no crime was committed. The person that explained it to me said that the reason he wasn't convivted on charges of attempted rape of a child is because he wasn't charged with that crime. I believe that they will be filing those charges later on.
Mark