Skeeter Jean

Skeeter Jean, also known as Skeet Hansenhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIXwhmLcbZ8 is an Americanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCadMpX28EMXTCYYBg1DUJIg/about YouTuber known for his unique approach in confronting potential online predators. Taking inspiration from the show "To Catch a Predator," hosted by Chris Hansen from 2004 to 2007, Skeet Hansen adopts the role of a vigilante and impersonates Chris Hansen to carry out sting operations.https://www.fresherslive.com/latest/articles/is-skeet-hansen-related-to-chris-hansen-1555160951
==Personal life==
He is a Michigan Native.
==Content==
His content revolves around setting up fake profiles on dating apps, posing as a minor between the ages of 13 and 14. When adults approach him and engage in sexually explicit conversations, he reveals his real age and proceeds to organize a meetup. Accompanied by a team, Skeet confronts the alleged predators at a random location while gathering evidence of their exchanges. Oftentimes, he tells the predators "you've just been Skeeted."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu565buON1U?t=2424
He shares these confrontations on various social media platforms, particularly YouTube, gaining significant attention and sparking discussions about online safety and accountability.
As of February 2023, he has carried out 50 sting operations. Only three of those 50 have resulted in arrests.https://www.insideedition.com/are-so-called-video-vigilante-cashing-in-on-stings-of-alleged-predators-79798
In 2023, he collaborated with scambait channel Trilogy Media on several catches - not just of adults talking to decoys, but also at least one catch of a money mule scammer. A man named Fernando was the subject of a catch, wherein he was tricked into stepping out of the shower and filmed by the crew, who gave him a cup to cover his genitals.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI0TwkBF5sw Skeet told Fernando that his "bush to penis ratio" was negative. Another catch included Rene, who also wanted to bathe, who was greeted by Skeet in an easter bunny costume. On the scammer catch, he referred to himself as a member of the "scamatorial investigation unit" instead of predatorial.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxAc5F6Oprk
===Catches===
In September 2021, Jean confronted an ice cream shop owner in Carleton, in Monroe County. He ultimately confronted a 63-year-old at Main Street Dairy. He denied everything even though Skeeter brought a chat log from their conversation on a dating app called Grindr where Skeeter posed as a 14-year-old boy. Jean handed his evidence over to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office which confirmed it is now investigating, trying to locate the alleged sexual predator. Sheriff's detectives executed a search warrant that afternoon at the home of William Minney, who was taken into custody and held at the Monroe County Jail. He was charged with using a computer to commit a crime and accosting children for immoral purposes. Minney was given a $100,000 bond, and if he posts bond, he must wear a GPS tether.https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/09/16/monroe-man-faces-charges-accosting-children-officials-say/8371598002/https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/vigilante-who-exposes-suspected-online-child-predators-confronts-ice-cream-shop-owner-in-carletonhttps://www.fox2detroit.com/news/monroe-county-ice-cream-shop-owner-charged-after-allegedly-trying-to-meet-up-with-teen-boy
On September 3, 2023, a video posted by the YouTuber JiDion surfaced online of him and Skeeter Jean confronting EDP445 after he was caught trying to meet up with a minor at a DaVita HealthCare Center. When the full video was leaked onto YouTube, it was revealed that EDP wasn't actually meeting a minor. While he had been talking to another minor who filed a police report, when JiDion and Jean became involved, they decided to confront EDP at the health centre he goes to for his dialysis appointments. Despite being told not to show the chat log to either EDP or the camera by a former professional law enforcer, Jean would go on to flash the chat on camera and make snide jokes to EDP about some of the photographs he sent of himself wearing makeup. Because of this, the likelihood of EDP finally being arrested and prosecuted from the girl's case has become unlikely.https://www.tiktok.com/@jidion/video/7274649844348751146https://www.instagram.com/p/CwvsPPbgvHJ/?img_index=1
==Criticism==
Jean is often criticized for his content, as many believe he does it just for profit and attention. Some prosecutors believe that sting operations hurt their chances of catching and convicting predators. Additionally, Jean introducing himself as if he is with some kind of official investigation unit has led to criticism, since this can diminish any potential evidence he has against a suspect.
Adam Scott Wandt, a professor of Public Policy at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice says that Jeans videos are an act is vigilantism and said that private citizens taking law enforcement into their own hands is a problem for our society. Wandt adds: "Under no circumstances should private citizens be doing these online sting operations on their own. The risk far outweighs any benefits". Even Chris Hansen thought what Jean is doing is risky, with some of his videos introducing himself as a member of an agency.
==References==
Category:Vlogging YouTubers
Category:American YouTubers
Category:Users who joined in 2013
Category:One million subscribers