Social media group posing as child catches, reports man to Albany police

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man with an outstanding warrant was arrested in Albany after a group of people who were pretending to be a child said he had met with them for inappropriate sexual contact.

Officers were approached by the group on Friday after the group posed as a minor online and set up meeting spots in the city with the intention of filming for their social media channel, police said.

The Corvallis man, 34, was arrested for a separate crime while officers investigated the group’s allegations.

However, Albany police said the group may could have unintentionally compromised the case.

“While this may initially sound like a quick and easy method to arrest criminals, it is imperative that proper procedures are followed so cases do not get compromised,” officials said. “This method of investigating a crime is not recommended for untrained and non-sworn people and can be particularly dangerous.”

Albany police said they have worked with similar groups before to “establish guidelines for jurisdiction, proper evidence handling and explain procedures,” but added that this group did not follow protocol. 

“These situations put us at a perilous disadvantage,” police said. “Of course, we will still take the information provided and detectives will work the case as a priority investigation.”

Anyone with potential information about crimes against children are encouraged to contact law enforcement or the Cyber Tip Line.