Cleveland Predator Patrol Disbands After Misdemeanor and Felony Charges

Residents of Northeast Ohio watched as Cleveland Predator Patrol, a group of young content creators, officially disbanded in September. The trio, which operated from March through September, ceased activities due to mounting legal bills and disputes among members. The group had gained national attention by staging confrontations with men they identified as online predators, mirroring the format of the long-running television show To Catch a Predator.

The group consisted of Austin McComas, Kevin Fisher, and Zac Hunley. They began their operations in March using methods similar to those pioneered by Chris Hansen in the early 2000s. Their videos, shared on Facebook and other platforms, showed them surprising men in public places like restaurants and parking lots. The group’s popularity grew rapidly during the spring and summer months, attracting a large following who followed their live broadcasts and social media posts.

Legal charges became a central factor in the group's dissolution. In August, the three members were charged with misdemeanors following a physical altercation in Brooklyn, where a man was dragged out of a restaurant. A week later, a separate incident in Olmsted Falls resulted in felony charges against the group. These legal proceedings have forced the members to focus on court dates rather than new stings. Fisher and Hunley stated they have stopped working with McComas but intend to return to the work in the future.

McComas, 26, described his motivation for joining the group. He said he was sexually abused by two of his brothers during his childhood. McComas noted that growing up with a lack of trust for humans drove him to take action. He became the public face of the group, often shouting the phrase, “Excuse me everybody,” in their videos. The group also sold merchandise featuring that catchphrase, generating revenue alongside their social media presence.

The group’s methods differed from traditional law enforcement protocols in ways that drew criticism. In July, fans interrupted a planned sting at an Elyria Walmart after the group went live on Facebook while en route, revealing the location. In early August, a man from Richville whom the group confronted died by suicide less than a week later. The group initially reacted with laughter when asked about the death and later shared the man’s obituary on Facebook with a triumphant tone. They later adopted a more restrained approach to discussing the incident.

David Frattare, the chief of Internet Crimes Against Children in Ohio, commented on the group's impact. He stated that while he understood the desire to catch predators, the actions of such groups often made his job harder. Frattare explained that under Ohio law, a man is not committing a prosecutable crime unless he is speaking with an actual child or a police officer posing as one. This legal distinction means that the men encountered by digital vigilantes are often technically not guilty of a crime that police can prosecute, complicating any follow-up actions.

Chris Hansen, who created the original To Catch a Predator show, has expressed mixed feelings about the new wave of groups. He acknowledged that he started the trend but emphasized that he does not want people to be physically hurt during confrontations. Hansen is currently producing a new show for TruBlu Studios in Strongsville. In this new format, law enforcement handles all conversations leading up to a confrontation to ensure that prosecutions and convictions are possible. He is also developing a documentary titled “I’m Chris Hansen” to provide his perspective on the legacy of the show.

The release of the movie Primetime, starring Robert Pattinson as Hansen, has brought renewed attention to the subject. The film dramatizes the events leading to the suicide of Louis William Conradt Jr., an assistant district attorney who died after Hansen’s team descended on his home. Hansen has considered legal action against the filmmakers for their portrayal of him. The group Cleveland Predator Patrol acknowledged Hansen as their inspiration, often posting about him on their social media channels before their dissolution.