Predators I’ve Caught with Chris Hansen

Vincent M. Ambrosio was a nineteen-year-old from Wappinger Falls, New York, caught in the Fairfield, Connecticut sting of Hansen vs. Predator. Unlike others, his episode never aired—deemed too grim. In 2019, Chris Hansen quietly released the raw footage as “premium content” on his YouTube channel. Ambrosio had dropped out of high school, was unemployed, and living with his parents while caring for his ailing grandfather. Battling depression, he was under psychiatric care, though the medication wasn’t helping. When he arrived at the sting house, he awkwardly tried to hug the decoy, who quickly distanced herself before stepping away. Moments later, Chris entered. Visibly emotional, Ambrosio broke down. He spoke of his failing mental health, academic struggles, and a life unraveling. He claimed he was seeking friendship—not sex—and even said he dreamed of becoming a police officer but felt his weight made that impossible. Despite showing some empathy, Chris couldn’t reconcile Ambrosio’s pain with his attempt to meet a minor for sex. In a final, awkward effort to defuse the moment, Ambrosio told Hansen, “My dad’s overweight too.” But there's even more to this predato's story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Mar 39min

From career criminal to recovery coach. Chris and JD discuss predators and important legislation. Chris also shares an update on a predator he caught, Robert Sainas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 Mar 50min

Edmundo Dasilva, a Transportation Security Officer for Homeland Security at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, was caught in a sting operation on the show "Takedown with Chris Hansen" in Polk County, Florida. Born in Venezuela and raised in Florida, Dasilva moved to Holly Springs, North Carolina after his marriage. During a vacation, presumably in Florida, he was entrapped in a hotel sting where he met an undercover cop posing as a minor's father. Dasilva acted suspiciously quiet, accepted a key to a hotel room, and upon entry, was arrested for soliciting a minor. Throughout the arrest, Dasilva displayed erratic behavior, sweating profusely and screaming claims of innocence and entrapment. Despite his protests and denials of any illicit intent, the situation escalated as he continued to scream, even as detectives threatened additional charges for disturbing the peace. The ordeal ended with his arrest and public confrontation with Chris and his camera crew outside the police station. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Mar 37min

Vincent Robert Roop, a former school custodian and alleged predator, was apprehended during a sting operation in Marquette County, Michigan. Roop, known for his unique speech and constant fear of harm, lived in Newberry, Michigan with his therapy cat that assisted him with Major Depression and an anxiety disorder. Prior to moving to Michigan in 2021, he lived in Wyoming and worked as a custodian at Yellowstone National Park nd a civic center. During the sting, Roop mistakenly tried to enter through the garage door, was wearing a shirt with actress Nia Peeples on it, and became hysterical when confronted by Chris Hansen, pleading for his safety and claiming ignorance of the decoy's age. After Chris asked him how he got into the situation that day, Roop responded, "I drove here." Roop claimed that he did not know the decoy's age. Chris asked what would have happened had the situation not been a sting, to which Roop said, "Something bad, maybe? Is-is that a right answer?" He then said that he probably would have had sex. Chris told Roop that he was "a grown ass man." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Mar 34min

In this special episode, Chris interviews Danielle Miura aka Dani Jayden.  Dani was the female decoy used in the Long Beach, California sting. Chris and Dani share behind the scenes stories of the sting and the predators they caught. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Feb 46min

Eric Hernan Gamonal is an unaired suspected predator involved in the Riverside, California investigation. He is known for being a lawyer prior to being caught in the sting.  On January 6th, 2006, the first day of the sting, using the screen name "chinaski818," Eric made contact with a decoy he thought was a fourteen-year-old girl named Maria Bothal. Eric was considered a "fast mover," because after verifying that he had seen her age on her profile, he told her she was cute, inquired as to whether she had a boyfriend, asked if he could replace him as his, and inquired as to whether she had had oral sex before.  Chris brought all that to a halt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Feb 30min

Timothy Knowles was a potential predator featured in the Murphy, Texas edition of To Catch A Predator. He is mostly known for Chris referring to a picture of his genitals as a "calling card" during his interview, as well as his casual attitude while being confronted over his behaviour. He was also one of several suspects to have seen the show beforehand.  At the time, thirty-five-year-old Timothy started a conversation with a Perverted Justice decoy who was acting the part of a thirteen-year-old boy named "Kyle." Even though his conversation log isn't available online, it is known that he initially went by the screen name "mytboi" and that he lied about his age, claiming to be twenty-six. He appeared to be careful to avoid discussing sex.  That didn’t matter…he still got to meet Chris.   Paid Partner of TruthFinder®   This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Feb 24min

Timothy Gilliam, thirty-two at the time, began chatting with a Perverted Justice decoy who was posing as a fourteen-year-old girl. Despite the fact that his chat log is not accessible online, it is known that he asked the girl if she had ever experienced oral and anal sex. He repeatedly displayed his penis on a webcam and asked if he could teach her how to orgasm. Gilliam admitted having watched Dateline NBC episodes where older men were arrested for attempting to meet underage children for sex.  He was not happy to meet Chris.   Paid Partner of TruthFinder®   This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Feb 37min