Thanks for the posts. We have a break down of the data in my article, but here are some of the latest numbers from 892 arrests in Florida:
• There are currently 7 deceased defendants (1.15% of 608 Disposed cases). Of those 7, 4 have been definitively confirmed as suicides, 1 was a heart attack, 1 died ‘unexpectedly’ and no other information has been found concerning the 7th. There were 9 deceased defendants but as it turns out two defendants had faked suicides, absconded and were later found again.
• There have been 47 (7.73%) trials which resulted in 38(6.25%) Guilty verdicts and 9(1.48%) Not Guilty verdicts. Interestingly one of the guilty verdicts was for carrying a concealed firearm without a license. That individual was acquitted of all sex offenses. Just in case you were wondering that works out to be 19.15% of cases that went to trial resulting in complete acquittal.
• 35(5.76%) cases were voluntarily dropped by the state and an additional 9(1.48%) were dismissed for cause such as a motion to dismiss. Additionally 1 case has been overturned on appeal resulting in another dismissal. There are also 3 cases where the defendant was found incompetent to stand trial. So far that totals up to 57(9.4%) of the cases disposed in which the state was unwilling or unable to obtain any conviction much less a conviction for a sex offense. There is one other case not counted here where a woman was arrested with her boyfriend. The state dropped all of her charges in return for testifying against her boyfriend
• Some ICAC task forces have gone so far as to claim nearly 100% of all those arrested had prior victims, possessed child pornography or both. Unfortunately Florida ICAC task forces cannot make that claim. Only 15(2.47%) have any evidence of prior victims whatsoever. That number includes defendants that were already RSO’s, had been investigated for a sex offense before regardless of outcome or evidence of prior victims was found during the investigation. Only 9(1.48%) were found to be in possession of child pornography. Of those 24 defendants only 1 has evidence of prior victims and possessed child pornography.
Although our data is specific to Florida, we are finding that illicit tactics are not limited to just the Sunshine State. The problem with Florida is that it stands out more than any other state in the number of stings being performed and when you crunch the numbers, it shows us that 97% of men were more than likely not predisposed to commit such crimes, 97%! My recent analysis also seems to be consistent with past research on the use of social networking sites in online sex crimes against minors and that is adult sites like Craigslist do not pose a potential risk to children compared to sites that are more teen oriented.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzLomEB8bi2PMWJfaHRxQk9GMEk/edit?pli=1
https://www.academia.edu/5496464/Florida_Sting_Operations_please_forward_link_to_everyone_and_sign_petition_
here's our DB that we put together from clerks of courts sites
www.ICACarrests.com