Jackson Township Police, Massillon Officials Warn Vigilante Predator Group to Stop Sting Operations

Jackson Township Police and the City of Massillon Law Department are demanding that a vigilante group known as Cleveland Pred Patrol (or CPP) stop conducting its own child predator sting operations, saying the group’s tactics are interfering with criminal investigations, preventing prosecutions and creating dangerous situations.

In a joint statement issued Oct. 7, Police Chief Mark Brink and Massillon Law Director Justin W. Richard criticized the group’s methods, warning that its activities could result in criminal charges.

Cleveland Pred Patrol, also known as CPP, poses as minors online before arranging meetings with adults suspected of seeking sexual encounters with children. Group members then confront and record those individuals, often posting the encounters on social media.

Officials acknowledge the group’s efforts to expose potential predators but say its tactics are undermining legitimate investigations.

“Sting operations conducted in the vigilante manner utilized by CPP render evidence unusable, law enforcement unable to criminally charge, and prosecutors unable to prosecute these individuals,” the statement reads.

Officials also warn that publicizing these encounters could help potential offenders learn how to avoid getting caught.

“Unfortunately, CPP either fails to appreciate or consciously disregards serious danger, potentially in the name of clickbait,” officials wrote.

Officials Reference Loss of Life
The statement also makes a serious allegation about the consequences of the group’s activities.

“CPP’s reckless disregard for the law and due process has resulted in not only the inability to properly investigate and potentially prosecute, but also the loss of life.”

Officials did not identify the person who died or provide details about the circumstances surrounding the death.

Brink and Richard say the group’s confrontations also create unnecessary risks for responding police officers.

“The Jackson Township Police Department and City of Massillon Law Department refuse to sit idly by while CPP’s vigilante efforts create increasingly hostile public encounters and cause a fundamental breakdown in the criminal justice system,” the statement reads.

Warning of Possible Charges
The agencies are calling on Cleveland Pred Patrol and similar groups to leave criminal investigations to trained law enforcement officers and prosecutors.

“Should CPP continue its vigilante efforts within this jurisdiction, we will evaluate prosecuting them for their actions,” the joint statement said.