Waco, TX – Three men affiliated with Oklahoma Predator Prevention have been charged with unlawful restraint after they allegedly confronted an individual in a trailer park. The confrontation occurred during an operation related to online solicitation of a minor.
The men, identified as Russell Goodwin, Ryan Koch, and George Liebsch, reportedly filmed the encounter, which resulted in the targeted individual losing consciousness. Video footage shows the men directing the individual and using aggressive language during the confrontation.
The incident unfolded in August as the men sought to address what they believed was an online sexual solicitation of a minor. However, the individual they confronted was actually engaging with a decoy account set up by the group.
According to the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office, the situation escalated, leading to the unidentified man collapsing after hitting his head on a vehicle. Emergency assistance was called only after the man fell unconscious.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that the targeted individual had sent sexually explicit material to someone he believed was a minor. The individual has since been arrested.
The investigation underscored concerns about vigilante actions and the risks they pose. The sheriff’s office emphasized the importance of lawful conduct and the dangers of confronting suspected predators without proper training.
Oklahoma Predator Prevention follows trends seen in similar groups that use sting operations targeting those suspected of seeking minors. The sheriff’s office cautioned that these actions could result in unintended harms and interfere with legitimate investigations.
