Monday, January 14, 2008

Globe: Collins mayor was caught during practice internet sex sting

The Diamond Police Department has become so proficient at its internet sex stings that even its practice sessions can result in arrests.
An article in today's Joplin Globe shows how Collins Mayor Allen Kauffman, a minister, was caught while Diamond Police officer Jim Murray was training a member of the Jasper County Sheriff's Department:

Kauffman’s arrest is the latest in a string of Internet operations conducted by Murray and the Diamond Police Department. Police Chief Keith Brumfield said the operations have netted 20 arrests — 11 of which have resulted in convictions. The other cases are pending.

Murray has developed a training program for Internet stings. The program has been certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, Brumfield said.

Last year, Murray offered classes to law-enforcement agencies from Duquesne, Springfield and Bolivar, and from Jasper, McDonald, Stone, Dallas and Butler counties.

“We’re the grass roots for it,” Brumfield said.

One of the lessons, Murray said, is teaching officers how to accumulate evidence against online predators without resorting to entrapment.


In the article, Murray says Kauffman said he bought the webcam allegedly used as part of the attempt to entice a younger "girl" into having sex so he could communicate with members of his church.

1 comment:

Kelly Maddy said...

Good to see they are putting some resources into getting people like this apprehended.