RobertPlattBell

Here in Georgia, the local Police entrap men (and women) by posing on Craigslist, trying to make a sexual hookup.

When they make a connection, they suggest meeting in a public park ("I'm too nervous, can we meet in a public place first?") and then show up and arrest the person for "soliciting sex".

Yes, the Supreme Court has ruled that hooking up is not illegal. But they do it anyway. Most of the people arrested are married men on vacation (St. Simon's Island, Glynn County) and they threaten them with exposure in the local paper. They also threaten them with long jail sentences and having to register as a "sex offender" if they fight the case and lose.

Most then accept a plea and a hefty fine, to bring it down to misdemeanor "disturbing the peace".

It is weird. The Supreme Court has ruled (Lawrence v. Texas) that who you want to have sex with, is none of the government's business.

I have talked with some of the victims of this "sting" operation, but none of them want to fight it or take it to appeal.

Is there anyway to get local law enforcement to actually obey the law? Seems like they will keep doing what they want, so long as the population is cowed.

But here in a small town, in rural Georgia, well, the Supreme Court isn't Supreme.

Very sad, too, because we have a rampant meth/crack problem in our County and they divert resources to these "sting" operations every month, and arrest as many as 30-45 people, particularly around the holidays.

I suppose, like so much else, it started out of good intentions - to warn people about these serial murderous pedophiles.

But to use this as a threat for someone "soliciting sex" (which is LEGAL!) is somewhat abhorrent.

All I can say is, be careful out there. If you get a sext from "tiffany" asking to meet you in a park in Georgia, chances are she is a cop. (or "Brad").

I have talked to some of the victims in these cases, as well as local law enforcement (some of whom are disgusted by this entrapment). Apparently there is ONE person in the county force who is a Baptist and has a "thing" about busting people to sex.

The police can't catch real criminals. Some lady was found on the street yesterday with her face bashed in. She's in a coma. No clues, no leads, no witnesses. No police patrolling the area.

Sad. Put up speed cameras and put the cops to real work.