Westmoreland County’s district attorney says a civilian group ignored investigators’ advice, refused to turn over evidence and jeopardized a potential criminal prosecution.
GREENSBURG, Pa. — The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office is accusing a self-described online predator-hunting group of undermining a potential criminal investigation after members allegedly refused to cooperate with law enforcement before confronting a Scottdale man.
In a statement released Thursday, District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli said members of 814Pred Hunters were contacted by the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police before the group’s recent confrontation with the man.
According to the district attorney’s office, investigators urged the group to provide any information, evidence and tips they had collected so law enforcement could conduct what officials described as a lawful criminal investigation.
Prosecutors allege the group refused to turn over its evidence and instead proceeded with the public confrontation despite being advised not to do so.
The district attorney’s office said those actions compromised a potential criminal case and jeopardized the possibility of an arrest.
“While prospective criminal prosecutions are being hindered by the actions of these civilian groups, public safety is in jeopardy every time these civilians attempt to confront alleged perpetrators,” Ziccarelli said in a statement. “No one more than law enforcement wants to apprehend these individuals who are attempting to harm or abuse children.”
The office also disputed claims circulating online that state police had been instructed not to respond or cooperate.
According to the district attorney’s office, no such instruction was given. Instead, prosecutors said they encouraged cooperation so investigators could review the evidence and conduct an independent criminal investigation.
Officials argued that civilian predator-catching groups have no legal authority to conduct criminal investigations in Pennsylvania and warned that their methods can jeopardize prosecutions and create safety risks for the public, responding officers and the groups themselves.
The district attorney’s office also referenced an April advisory discouraging vigilante-style investigations, noting that judges in Westmoreland County have previously suppressed evidence gathered by civilian groups, leading to dismissed criminal charges.
According to prosecutors, one court order stated the outcome could have been different if the civilian group had reported the alleged communications to law enforcement before confronting the suspect, allowing investigators to conduct an independent investigation.
The district attorney’s office said it has also shared information related to the recent incident with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is cooperating with that agency.
Authorities continue to encourage anyone who suspects online child exploitation or predatory behavior to report it to local law enforcement or the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office rather than confronting suspects themselves.
Key Points
- The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office says a vigilante group refused to provide evidence to investigators before confronting a suspect.
- Prosecutors allege the group’s actions compromised a potential criminal investigation and jeopardized an arrest.
- Officials continue to urge the public to report suspected child predators to law enforcement instead of conducting independent confrontations.