Anthony Palumbo

Palumbo trying to convince Chris he isn't gay

> *"I'm not gay or anything... I'm just saying."*
>
>

> -in response to Chris Hansen's claim that he came to the house looking for sex with a young boy.
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**Anthony Palumbo** is a suspected predator featured in the Ocean County, New Jersey sting. He was the only one of the 28 predators in the investigation to go after a boy. Because of his many hilarious quotes and loud-mouthed nervousness during his interview, he has become one of the more famous suspects in the TCaP fandom.

## Biography

Two years before his appearance on Dateline, Palumbo's father allegedly had a violent outburst against his family over stocks totaling approximately $1 million. It would involve him brandishing a pitchfork at his wife and breaking her nose when he swung a dinner tray at her. He also dumped boiling soup on Anthony's head, causing the both of them to be taken to the hospital.

Anthony Palumbo was 46-years-old when he started an internet conversation with someone he thought was a fourteen-year-old boy. He went by the name "Chris" and stated that he was 35-years-old. After just a few minutes of talking, he asked the child if he was top or bottom. The boy's history of oral sex and kissing was then brought up. After more chit-chat, Palumbo inquired as to whether he had swallowed semen. The boy then questioned what he meant when he said he wanted to be at the top and pushed on unprotected intercourse, to which Palumbo replied, "U WANT DO IT RAW?" and said he wanted "NO RUBER” when the decoy inquired what that meant. Palumbo then expressed concern and said he was scared the boy was a police officer. Later, he declared that he would use soap as lubricant instead of condoms when they had sex. After offering to bring  Heineken beer, Palumbo enquired about the boy's experience with meeting people online. He worried again, saying to the boy that he didn't want to "play fucking games."

## Sting

Palumbo was the only one of the 28 predators in the investigation to pursue a boy. He arrives to the house and compliments the decoy for providing precise directions while also having alcohol with him that he repeatedly orders to be placed in the refrigerator. Palumbo acknowledges that he was anxious and that his trip to Atlantic City served as his reason for going to the residence. Once confronted by Chris Hansen, he explained that he was heading to Atlantic City to see his other brother. According to Palumbo, he "just stopped by." Chris challenges his story by pointing out that he told the decoy he was anxious. Palumbo claimed he became nervous since he was driving to Atlantic City and wasn't a good driver when it got dark. Palumbo claimed he dropped by to introduce himself. After Chris enquired if Palumbo had any beer before driving to the house, Palumbo offered for Chris to smell his breath.

He repeatedly states that he believed the boy to be eighteen. Palumbo replied that he was 39 when Chris pressed him for his genuine age. Chris cites that he said he was 35 online. Subsequently, Palumbo acknowledges that he looked after his ill mother while being unemployed. After Chris reads from his sexually explicit chat, he said he was only "fooling around." As Chris questioned why he had questioned the boy if he was a cop, he said that he was "just joking." Palumbo reiterated that he had come to make friends and believed the child to be eighteen-years-old. He claims he is "not gay or anything." Chris informed him that the issue wasn't whether it was gay or straight, that no one cared what adults did, and that the issue was that he had involved a fourteen-year-old boy. Chris continues to question him, and Palumbo calls what he did "stupid." Once Chris reveals who he is and the cameras come out, Palumbo said he doesn't want to be on television and immediately flees when told he can leave. The police shock him as he exits the residence, causing him to momentarily run away from them before immediately stopping. He is then detained and placed under arrest.

## Legal aftermath

Palumbo was first charged with luring and attempted sexual assault, both of which carried a possible ten-year prison sentence. Palumbo was found guilty of a felony count of criminal attempt and given a lifetime parole supervision term as well as registration as a sex offender for life. According to Chris on his "Predators I've Caught" podcast, Palumbo was arrested again in 2019 for a hit and run and spent 45 days in Riker's Island Prison.

Despite being one of the most famous and quoted suspects on the show, Palumbo has kept a very low profile since his appearance on the show, and virtually nothing is known about him post-Dateline other than the hit and run incident.

## Notable quotes

* *"I'm not gay or anything...I'm just sayin”*
* *"You give good directions!"*
* *"Oh, I wouldn't wanna be umm...oh boy..." (after the cameras come out)*
* [Chris] "How old are you?" [Palumbo] "Thirtyyyyy...nine." [Chris] "Thirty-nine. You said you were thirty-five online." [Palumbo] "Thiry-five, thirty-NINE."
* *"Put da beeah into da refrijiraita"*
* *"No, my brotha is home, my otha' brotha and I said I had'ta go to Lantic City”*
* *“Nah I just stahpped by!”*
* *"I'm not a drivah at dark- at night time."*
* (from chatlog) *"I WANNA BE TOP" "oh ok" "U WANT DO IT RAW?“ “raw?” “YES” "whats that?" “NO RUBER"*
* (from chatlog) *“U BETTER NOT BE PLAYING FUCKING GAMES”*
* *"Don't get drunk with dat" (after handing the beeah to the decoy)*
* *"Jus jokin" \*hand spasm\**
* *"I was going to Lantic City."*
* *"I'm not a drivah at night."*
* *"No you're right, no you're right- It's stupid of me. No, yeah I know I did a stupid thing."*
* *"Did I axe that, I don't remembah tho-"*
* *“Not at all, not at all. You can even smell my breath, not at all.”*
* *"My excuse to come heeah, I went to Lantic City."*

## Links

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=denelzG4xJY (TCaP segment)

## References

1. ↑ https://nypost.com/2005/01/12/hubby-in-pitchfork-threat/
2. ↑ https://www.silive.com/advanceupdate/2007/04/2\_island\_suspects\_nabbed\_in\_da.html
3. ↑ http://www.perverted-justice.com/?con=Hibuddywazsup