Donta Sloan Somerset Sting: Phone Smash Attempt Caught
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Suspect Allegedly Tried to Smash Phone as Police Closed In
A sting operation in Somerset, Kentucky, took a bizarre turn when a man confronted for soliciting an underage girl allegedly directed his girlfriend to destroy his phone right in front of law enforcement officers. The device was thrown but did not break, capturing the brazen attempt at tampering with evidence on camera.
- Donta Sloan of Somerset, Kentucky, was caught by Predator Poachers Kentucky after sending extremely inappropriate messages to a person he believed was a 13-year-old girl.
- During the confrontation, Sloan reportedly asked his girlfriend to smash his phone in front of police officers, a move captured on the group's recording.
- The phone was thrown but survived the impact, preserving what the group described as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the device.
- Somerset Police were on scene and arrested Sloan, according to a social media post by Predator Poachers Kentucky.
- The operation involved TJ Roberts, a representative who has worked with the group multiple times, and Rep. Shane Baker, according to the group's account.
The Confrontation and the Alleged Request
The incident unfolded in a residential neighborhood in Somerset, where Predator Poachers Kentucky, a civilian group that conducts online stings, had arranged a meeting with a suspect. According to the group, Donta Sloan had been communicating with someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl, sending messages that the group characterized as extremely inappropriate.
The confrontation was recorded on video, with a narrator describing the moment Sloan allegedly instructed his girlfriend to destroy his phone. "Dr. Sloan has just said that he wants his girlfriend to break his phone because there is child abuse material on it," the recording states. The statement was made in the presence of officers, according to the narrative.
The group's representative, TJ Roberts, identified himself on the recording, stating, "My name is TJ Roberts. I'm with a group called Predator Poachers Kentucky." The recording also captured a voice saying, "You admitted to having child abuse material and that's tampering with evidence that we just got on camera." The exchange was described as an admission of possessing the material and an attempt to destroy it, both captured on record.
A Failed Attempt to Destroy Evidence
The attempt to destroy the phone backfired when the device did not break upon being thrown. The recording notes that while the girlfriend threw the phone, it survived intact. The phone was recovered and the contents were preserved, a critical detail for any subsequent investigation.
The group's narrator emphasized the significance of the moment: "That was not a smart move. You got that on tape? Perfect. We all got it, too." The exchange highlights the importance of documenting such acts in real time, especially when law enforcement is present.
The presence of officers during the alleged request to destroy evidence could have serious legal implications. The group suggested that both Sloan and his girlfriend, identified in the original post as Christina, could face charges. The post specifically mentions possible felony tampering with evidence for Christina, though no official charges have been confirmed by authorities.
Law Enforcement and the Civilian Sting Operation
Predator Poachers Kentucky has conducted multiple stings in the region, often working alongside law enforcement. According to a FOX19 report, the group has helped catch roughly 250 people this year, working with police in every state. TJ Roberts, a Kentucky representative, has participated in six stings with the group, and everyone they have confronted is facing charges.
Roberts has publicly stated that the group aims to ensure their work results in criminal convictions. "There's no point in doing this stuff if that's not what you're getting," he told FOX19. He also emphasized that the group operates in a way that protects investigations, disavowing vigilante violence. He is reportedly drafting legislation to clarify Kentucky's solicitation statute and is launching a Kentucky chapter of Predator Poachers.
The Somerset Police Department's involvement in this case underscores the collaboration between the group and local authorities. According to the group's post, the arrest was made on scene, and they praised the police for their work.
| Incident Parameter | Observation at the Scene |
|---|---|
| Location | Somerset, Kentucky, residential street |
| Key Figure | Donta Sloan, suspect |
| Group Involved | Predator Poachers Kentucky |
| Alleged Request | Asked girlfriend to smash phone in front of police |
| Outcome of Device | Phone was thrown but did not break |
| Arrest | Sloan arrested on scene by Somerset Police |
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Legal and Ethical Questions
The case raises questions about the legal boundaries of civilian sting operations. While Predator Poachers Kentucky maintains that it works with law enforcement and avoids vigilantism, the line between assisting police and interfering in an active investigation can be thin. In this instance, the group's recording captured an alleged admission and an alleged attempt to destroy evidence, both of which could be used in a prosecution.
The presence of a state representative, Rep. Shane Baker, during the sting adds another layer. Baker's office has not issued a public statement on the matter, and it is unclear what role he played beyond observing the operation. The group's post thanked him for joining them.
The fact that the phone did not break is a crucial detail. Had the device been destroyed, the CSAM it allegedly contained would have been lost, and the case against Sloan could have been weakened. The group's recording of the incident may prove vital in ensuring that the evidence remains admissible.
Core Questions and Unresolved Issues
- What charges exactly will Donta Sloan face, and will the recorded admission be admissible in court?
- Will Christina face felony tampering with evidence charges, as the group suggested?
- How many more stings will Predator Poachers Kentucky conduct in the state, and how will local police continue to collaborate with them?
A Community on Edge
The incident has drawn attention from the local community, with the group's social media post circulating on Kentucky community pages. Residents expressed concern and appreciation for the group's work, though some have questioned the methods used by civilian vigilante groups.
The Somerset Police Department has not released a formal statement beyond confirming the arrest, and the investigation is ongoing. The group's recording is likely to be a key piece of evidence as the case moves forward.
For now, the outcome of the case against Sloan and the potential charges against his girlfriend remain open questions, but the recording has already made one thing clear: the attempt to destroy the phone failed, and the evidence survived.
What do you think about civilian groups conducting these types of sting operations? Should they work more closely with police, or are they overstepping? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
