What is SLAP?

St. Louis Against Predators (SLAP) is a volunteer-led, grassroots nonprofit association serving the St. Louis area and surrounding Missouri-Illinois communities.

Our work invludes documenting adults who target minors online, supporting law enforcement, tracking public case outcomes, connecting survivors with resources, educating the community, and advocating for stronger protections for children.

Is SLAP a nonprofit?

Yes, SLAP currently operates as an unincorporated nonprofit association and is still developing its formal organizational structure. We frequently collaborate with Operation 17:2, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a similar mission.

Is SLAP a law-enforcement agency?

No. We avoid describing our work as conducting investigations.

SLAP documents online conduct, organizes relevant information, supports law enforcement, and tracks publicly available case outcomes. We do not claim police authority or make charging decisions.

Where does SLAP operate?

Our primary focus is the St. Louis region, including communities on both the Missouri and Illinois side of the area.

However, we go where cases take us and never abandon a case due to distance. We have worked on cases where alleged perpetrators live across the nation and still do our diligence to follow through.

What is an online decoy?

An online decoy is an adult volunteer who operates a fictional online persona representing a minor.

The purpose is to document the voluntary choices of adults who initiate inappropriate, exploitative, or sexual contact--not to pressure anyone into committing a crime.

Are any real children involved?

Never. Every person operating a decoy account is an adult.

SLAP does not use real children, real children's identities, or real children's photos, videos, voices, personal histories, or social-media accounts. This remains prohibited even when a parent or minor offers permission.

Do decoys contact adults first?

Never. SLAP's purpose is not to target, bait, or pressure particular people into criminal conduct.

Decoy accounts exist in online spaces where adults may encounter them, often on platforms recommended to us by child sexual abuse/exploitation advocates or survivors as spaces where real children have met their abusers. Cases are based on the adult's own decisions and communications--not conduct manufactured by the volunteer.

Do decoys clearly state they are minors?

Always. The represented age is always made clear and preserved in the record. The exact timing and method may vary by platform, but our volunteers are prohibited from concealing the represented age in order to manufacture stronger evidence. We double-check and confirm that age was acknowledged prior to police reports or field operations.

If an adult chooses to stop communicating after learning the age, the volunteer does not pressure that person to continue.

Do decoys "bait" or initiate sexual conversation?

Never. Our decoys may never introduct sexual subjects, offer sexual activity, describe sexual acts first, or use flirtation and pressure to provoke explicit responses.

Our controlling principle is: Do not create the crime; Document the choices.

Do decoys suggest meeting in person?

Never. Our decoys are prohibited from being the first party to suggest an in-person meeting.

When an adult independently proposes a meeting, the communication is preserved and escalated according to SLAP's protocol.

Do decoys ask adults to send explicit or illegal material?

Never. Volunteers never ask for child sexual abuse material or encourage anyone to send images involving a real child or explicit images of themselves.

If suspected illegal material appears unexpectedly, normal engagement stops and the matter is escalated to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Is this entrapment?

No. SLAP does not pressure, persuade, reward, threaten, or manipulate adults into committing offenses. Volunteers are trained to remain neutral, allow adults to stop communicating, and preserve the adult's voluntary conduct.

Whether a particular legal defense applies is ultimately a matter of attorneys and courts, but typically the "entrapment" legal defense only applies to law enforcement agencies, not private civilian organizations. SLAP's role is to maintain a complete and accurate record--not decide legal conclusions.

Is decoy work the same as catfishing?

No. Ordinary catfishing is generally intended to deceive someone for attention, romance, money, revenge, or entertainment.

SLAP's online work is a controlled documentation process governed by training, supervision, evidence-preservation rules, safety requirements, and law-enforcement reporting procedures.

Does SLAP confront people?

SLAP does not encourage volunteers to threaten, humiliate, blackmail, harass, or independently confront subjects. When an online interaction progresses toward a possible in-person meeting, SLAP coordinates with Operation 17:2, our security team, and/or law enforcement. Public content is never more important than safety or the integrity of a case.

Does every online conversation result in a sting or arrest?

No.

An adult may stop communicating, block the account, never escalate, or engage in concerning conduct that does not support criminal charges. Law enforcement and prosecutors decide whether official action is appropriate.

A case is not considered successful merely because an arrest occurs. Success means no real child was placed at risk, the evidence was preserved honestly, and the information was responsibly reported. When we believe law enforcement agencies or prosecutors drop the ball and unjustly fail to prosecute, we advocate for changes on a systemic level.

What information does SLAP preserve?

Depending on the case, records may include:

• Full message histories

• Profile and account information

• Clear age disclosures

• Dates and timestamps

• Images or files sent by the adult

• Call or video-call recordings

• Publicly available identifying information

• Notes explaining unusual events or evidence gaps

• Communications and instructions from law enforcement

Original records are preserved whenever possible. Summaries and screenshots do not replace the underlying evidence.

Does SLAP edit conversations to make the cases look stronger?

Never. Relevant conversations are always preserved in context. Volunteers are strictly prohibited from deleting unfavorable or ambiguous material, hide mistakes, alter screenshots, or preserve only the most incriminating portions. Evidence integrity requires the full story.

How does SLAP identify people?

Our operations researchers use lawful, publicly available information to help assess who might be operating an account.

Public-record results are treated as leads rather than automatic proof of identity. SLAP distinguishes between confirmed information, information provided by the adult, and information inferred from public sources.

What happens after an arrest?

Volunteers stop communicating with the subject unless law enforcement provides other instructions. Evidence is preserved, law enforcement requests are addressed, and volunteers remain available for interviews, depositions, or testimony as needed.

Will SLAP volunteers testify in court?

Volunteers understand that they may be asked to provide a statement, participate in interviews, attend a deposition, or testify in court.

They are expected to answer truthfully, acknowledge uncertainty, disclose mistakes, and avoid exaggerating what the evidence shows.

What if a volunteer makes a mistake?

Mistakes must be reported internally and may need to be disclosed to law enforcement or prosecutors. All logs are double-checked by a supervisor before action is taken.

SLAP does not hide missing evidence, protocol deviations, inaccurate notes, mistaken assumptions, or other issues that could affect a case. Protecting credibility is more important than pretending a case was flawless.

Why does SLAP publish information about some cases?

Public case pages help communities follow what happens after an arrest or report--not merely the initial operation.

They may also help survivors recognize a person, understand that they are not alone, and contact the appropriate authorities with additional information. Logs and recorded calls can help with advocacy and prevention, so the public understands how offenders might groom, test boundaries, and escalate to harmful conduct with their children.

Does SLAP publish every case?

No. Only cases approved for public disclosure are published.

Some matters must remain private due to active proceedings, law enforcement requests, victim privacy, evidentiary concerns, safety risks, or insufficient publicly verifiable information.

Why not publish every screenshot and piece of evidence?

Publishing everything can expose victims, interfere with proceedings, create privacy or safety risks, provide defense strategies, or remove important context.

SLAP prioritizes the case and the people affected by it over public curiosity.

Does SLAP release confrontation footage?

Confrontation footage is generally kept on social media rather than used as the focus of our website. We are in the process of developing longform content, focused on elements of our cases that can assist the public with advocacy and prevention.

SLAP does not release material from law-enforcement-involved operations without appropriate review and approval.

Can someone request a correction or case update?

Yes. Anyone who identifies a possible factual error, outdated status, broken link, or significant public case development may contact SLAP at stlagainstpreds@gmail.com.

A correction request does not guarantee removal, but credible information will be reviewed.

I'm a family member or friend of someone in a SLAP case--can I contact SLAP for information?

Yes. We cannot always share details of ongoing investigations, but we can help family members or friends understand the nature of the behavior we observed. We understand that loved ones of offenders are often victims as well, and we can refer you to resources that can provide more support.

I was victimized by someone in a SLAP case--can I contact SLAP?

Yes. We always provide the direct contact of the investigator on the case if you decide you want your voice to be heard in any ongoing legal proceedings.

SLAP can assist with understanding reporting options, connecting you with specialized services, locating appropriate agencies, or discussing sharing your story publicly. 

Please note: We are not a therapy provider, legal-services organization, or crisis hotline.

Who can volunteer?

All SLAP volunteers must:

• Be at least 18 years old, but preferably over 21

• Complete a background check

• Complete required training

• Protect confidential information

• Follow supervision and role-specific procedures

• Maintain appropriate safety and ethical boundaries

Additional requirements may vary by role

What volunteer roles are available?

SLAP currently recruits for four primary areas:

Online Operations
Adults operate fictional online personas, document interactions,  and help organize information for potential law-enforcement referral.

Safety
Volunteers assist with planning, logistics, communication, and risk reduction during coordinated field operations.

Operations Research
Researchers use lawful public sources to help assess identity and organize relevant background information.

Advocacy Research
Researchers track cases, legislation, enforcement gaps, and jurisdiction-specific practices while helping build relationships with agencies and prosecutors.

Do I have to live in St. Louis to volunteer?

Safety volunteers must live in or be able to travel to the St. Louis area. Anyone interested in volunteering near or in Union County, IL can contact us for a referral to volunteer with Operation 17:2.

There are no location requirements for Online Operations and Research volunteers. We accept applicants from all over the world.

Are volunteers paid?

No. SLAP volunteer positions are unpaid.

Does SLAP provide mental-health support to volunteers?

SLAP provides peer and supervisory support, encourages breaks and debriefing, and does not treat burnout as a personal failure.

However, SLAP is not a mental-health provider and cannot replace professional care. These roles are not recommended for those currently struggling with their mental health.

Can volunteers work independently?

No. Volunteers may not freelance, open unauthorized accounts, pursue side cases (unless working for a reputable organization), contact subjects through personal accounts, or continue after being directed to pause.

All sensitive work must remain within the volunteer's approved role and supervision.

Does SLAP criticize law enforcement or prosecutors?

SLAP seeks productive relationships with agencies and prosecutors, but collaboration does not require silence about systemic failures.

When cases are mishandled or wrongfully declined, SLAP may explain broader policy problems, document public decisions, advocate for reform, or seek clarification from responsible agencies.

Can I donate to SLAP?

For now, large donations ($500+) should be directed to Operation 17:2. If you want to help us buy essential supplies, you're welcome to send us a few bucks on Cashapp or Venmo! All donations go directly to supplies for our decoys, storage space to preserve evidence, and technical support for our volunteers to help us catch more predators. (10% of all donations are given directly to St. Louis Children's Advocacy Center, to support survivors of child sexual abuse.)

If you have any spare or old electronics (phones, tablets, laptops, chargers), those donations would be very appreciated. Contact us for instructions on factory resetting and shipping.

Why does SLAP sell merchandise?

Merchandise helsp spread the organization's message and offset operating expenses, such as phones, travel, background checks, safety equipment, decoy props, technology, and evidence-management needs.

Where does the money go?

Revenue solely supports SLAP's mission and direct operational costs.

As the organization develops, financial disclosures and policies should be updated to reflect its current structure and practices.

Can businesses and organizations collaborate with SLAP?

Potenital law-enforcement, nonprofit, educational, survivor-service, media, and community partners may contact SLAP! Email us for inquiries.

Partner requests are reviewed based on mission fit, safety, confidentiality, values, and the effect on existing cases.

Why are all SLAP volunteers not publicly identified?

Some volunteers handle sensitive cases, interact with potentially dangerous adults, or support law-enforcement-coordinated operations.

SLAP remains team-focused and does not publish a complete directory of operational personnel or real identifying information. This protects volunteers, cases, survivors, and partner agencies.

Does SLAP guarantee complete confidentiality?

SLAP takes confidentiality seriously, but no organization can lawfully guarantee absolute secrecy.

Information may need to be provided to law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, attorneys, reporting agencies, or other authorities. Legal process may also require records or testimony.