Predator Poachers: A Team’s Mission to Protect Our Kids
Ever wonder what it takes to stand up against the darkness? In a recent interview, we sat down with Mike Villani (aka Douglas King Jr.) from Predator Poachers to get a glimpse into their world. If you’re not familiar, Predator Poachers is an organization dedicated to catching online predators who target children. Founded six years ago by Alex Rosen, they’ve been making a real difference, one case at a time.
The Origin Story.. How Jay Met Alex Rosen and Mike during a catch in Rockville Centre, NY
Mike shared a chilling story from a case in Rockville Centre involving a man named Marvin Guerrero. Guerrero told his family he was running errands, but his real plan was to meet a 13-year-old. That’s where Mike stepped in, posing as the decoy to expose Guerrero’s intentions.
The Case of “Mr. Pickle”: A Teacher’s Betrayal
The conversation then turned to an even more disturbing case involving Mark Verity, an elementary school music teacher. This case highlights how predators can hide in plain sight, even in positions of trust.
Here’s how it unfolded:
- •The Initial Contact: Verity messaged Mike (posing as a 13-year-old) on Kick, a messaging app known for its chat rooms.
- •Moving to Snapchat: The conversation quickly moved to Snapchat, where messages are believed to disappear. However, Mike had a workaround to capture screenshots without alerting Verity.
- •Unmasking the Teacher: After obtaining a photo of Verity, the Predator Poachers team realized the urgency of the situation, given his proximity to children.
- •The Confrontation: They waited for Verity in the school parking lot after dismissal and confronted him near his car, prioritizing the safety of the children at the school.
The details are unsettling. Verity, known as “Mr. Pickle” to his students because he gave out pickle-themed gifts, had been teaching for at least 10 years. The thought that someone in such a position could harbor these intentions is terrifying.
A System Failure?
What’s even more shocking is that Verity’s parents bailed him out, using their house as collateral. It begs the question: Why would parents support such behavior after their child admitted to the crimes?
The Aftermath and the Community’s Reaction
Since the case went public, many people who knew Verity have come forward, sharing their shock and disgust. It’s a stark reminder that predators can be anyone.
A Second Chance? The Dark Horse Meeting
Mike also recounted a previous case (with Marvin Guerrero) where the suspect, after being arrested and pleading guilty, asked to meet up again to “explain himself.” He even offered a donation and asked Mike to testify on his behalf and remove the video. Of course, Mike refused.
By the Numbers: The Scale of the Problem
Since January, Mike and his partner have caught a staggering 48 predators. That’s nearly one a week, highlighting the pervasive nature of this problem.
Jay and Alex Rosen’s original video.
Gear Used
Camera – Sony a9 / a1
Microphones – Shure SM7b
Links for all of Jay’s and Floored Media’s photo gear!