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A cyber twilight zone in Ft. Myers, Fla.


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After conducting four Internet predator investigations in four different states, you’d think we’d be prepared for anything.

But something happens here in Florida that shocks us all.

The man who arrived with his 5-year-old son
A 40-year-old married man, Clifford Wallach’s screenname "fotophix." He arrived to meet a boy who told him online he was 14.

Story continues below ↓
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Del from Perverted-Justice posing as the boy spoke with “fotophix” on the phone.

Del, decoy: He said “I like oral, all aspects.” I said “giving or receiving?” He said “both.” I said “cool.” He said “you up for that?” I said “sure.”

Holding his son’s hand, the 40-year-old walks into the house.

Clifford Wallach (hidden camera footage): Where’d you go?

Because we don’t want to scare the little boy.  We immediately tell the man what’s going on.

Chris Hansen, Dateline Correspondent: I gotta tell you something.  And I’m gonna tell you this straight up right now.

Wallach:   What?

Hansen:  I’m Chris Hansen with Dateline NBC.

Wallach: Ok.

Hansen: We’re doing a story on adults getting children—and since you have your child here, I’m not going to pursue this.

Wallach:   Ok.

Hansen: But, I think you know what you were doing here, don’t you?

Wallach:No.  I was going to take someone out to lunch.

Hansen: My point is, because your child is here, I think it would be best if you went ahead and left.

Wallach: Yeah, I agree.  I’m never gonna do this again.

Since the police know the man has his son with him, a female officer quickly takes the little boy and whisks him away so he doesn’t have to further witness his father’s arrest.

The man is taken away in hand cuffs and brought to the transfer station...

Wallach:  Please I want to stay with my son.

Police officer:  That’s not an option for now sir.

Wallach: I didn’t do nothing wrong, I was going to take someone to lunch, I can’t feel my hands, please!

The police contact the boys mother at work, tell her what’s going on, and she comes and gets him. Meanwhile, the dad is taken to jail, photographed and put behind bars.

While his story is upsetting, the story of a man you’ll meet next week is downright bizarre.

Naked and chasing after a cat
One potential predator comes in the house whips off his clothes and proceeds to search for a young teen.

Hansen: You want to explain yourself? You’re naked. There’s a 14-year-old girl. You’re chasing a cat around. You’ve got Coolwhip.

You'll see his story on Dateline's next "To Catch a Predator," one week from tonight, Wednesday, at 8 p.m./ 9 Central.

© 2008 MSNBC Interactive


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