Online group ‘Predator Poachers’ visits Tallapoosa County—one man ends up in jail

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. (WRBL) — A 28-year-old man is behind bars in Tallapoosa County after an online sting operation led by an independent group targeting adults accused of attempting to meet children for sex.

According to a press release from the Alexander City Police Department, officers were called to the 200 block of Oak Street West on Saturday, July 26, 2025, to meet with members of an organization known as Predator Poachers. The group, which conducts undercover operations posing as minors, told officers they had confronted Shaye Ellis, a 28-year-old man from Wadley, Alabama, who had driven to the location believing he was meeting a 13-year-old girl.

Ellis was detained at the scene until an investigator arrived. After reviewing evidence presented by the group, Ellis was placed under arrest for Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, Transmitting Obscene Material to a Minor, and Resisting Arrest.

He was transported to the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department without further incident, where he remains held awaiting a bond hearing.

Predator Poachers founder Alex Rosen spoke with WRBL following the arrest and praised Alexander City officers for their response.

“This is our second time exposing a predator in Alexander City, and both times Alexander City PD has been nothing but very professional,” Rosen said. 

Rosen also urged parents to be vigilant about their children’s online activity. “Just be diligent and pay attention to what your kid’s doing on their phone,” he said. “We’re happy to help make a difference in this country and in this community, and I’m sure we’ll be back.”

No additional information has been released at this time, and police say the investigation is ongoing.