TheTrenchcoat Chronicles

Tag: craigslist

  • craigslist CEO reacts to Conn. AG

    craigslist CEO reacts to Conn. AG

    Dipping once again into the well of craigslist’s ugly-ass blog, we come across this missive from craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster about Conn. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

    While I think AG Blumenthal is out of his ever-lovin’ mind I do want to take Mr. Buckmaster to task for a quote in his post.

    Unlike the telephone yellow pages, many newspapers, and countless websites, which for many years have profited from “erotic service” ads, craigslist derives no revenue (let alone profit) from “erotic services”, and in fact we incur significant costs in enforcing our terms of use regarding these ads.

    It’s not about the cash, Jim. It’s about the anonymity. Newspapers, phone books, etc., can easily trace back to their clients if need be. On the other hand, you can not. It’s not just about the erotic services either, at least not with me. The anonymity of craigslist allows all types of criminals to prey upon the law-abiding users of craigslist.

  • craigslist CEO on erotic services

    craigslist CEO on erotic services

    Speaking of craigslist’s ugly-ass official blog, CEO Jim Buckmaster posted this entry the other day about craigslist’s new phone verification system for their erotic services section. I have yet to check it out, but I’m sure I can find numerous ways that it can be circumvented. Anyway, he claims that it cut down on the number of erotic service ads by 80%. That’s still 20% too many. Even one instance of child prostitution or human trafficking is still too many.

    Mr. Buckmaster also said that they are looking for additional ways to eliminate criminal activity on craigslist. I’ve got two ways that would eliminate most, if not all, the crime on craigslist. Take away the anonymity and do away with the erotic services section.

    I’ll be awaiting my consultant’s check, Jim.

  • Child porn found on craigslist killer’s computer

    Child porn found on craigslist killer’s computer

    Cops: Child pornography found on accused Craigslist killer’s computer:

    While investigating the murder of Katherine Ann Olson, police found child porn on the computer of her accused killer, Michael John Anderson.

    In the affidavit for the search warrant, a BCA agent described it as “a photograph of two pre-teen boys, clearly under the age of 18, in the nude.” It describes the boys engaged in a sex act.

    Anderson is accused of placing a phony ad for a nanny job on craigslist. When Olson responded to the ad at Anderson’s house, he allegedly killed her.

  • Va. attorney arrested in craigslist child prostitution sting

    Va. attorney arrested in craigslist child prostitution sting

    Attorney Arrested for Answering Child Sex Ad:

    29-year-old attorney Adam Bryant has been arrested in a craigslist undercover sting where undercover detectives placed an ad on craigslist from a father who was offering his 13-year-old daughter for sex. Bryant offered $1000 and was arrested when he arrived at the predetermined meeting place.

    Investigators are also saying that Bryant has been in contact with child prostitutes since 2006.

    How is this a victimless crime again?

  • NC prostitute killed after meeting man on craigslist

    NC prostitute killed after meeting man on craigslist

    Warrants: Victim met suspected killer online:

    51-year-old Bernard George Lamp of Troutman, North Carolina, is accused of killing alleged prostitute Bonnie Lou Irvine of Cornelius, North Carolina. The two met over craigslist where Irvine had placed an ad.

    She also directed him to pictures of herself posted on a different Web site that authorities say is popular with men seeking prostitutes, the search warrants said.

    And here’s where it gets weird…

    Lamp was arrested after sheriff’s deputies stopped him driving Irvine’s 2001 Volvo on March 14, said Iredell sheriff’s Capt. Darren Campbell. Authorities then found Irvine’s body buried at Lamp’s girlfriend’s home in Troutman.

    According to search warrants, Lamp also met the girlfriend on Craigslist.

    And it doesn’t end there. Lamp was on probation for the attempted rape of another prostitute that happened at a truck stop on I-77 in Troutman.

    Is the money so great in prostitution that these women are willing to risk their lives each time they meet with a john? I doubt it is at a truck stop.

    UPDATE: I guess the money is that great. Check out the video from a local news station and see some of the houses these local call girls lived in.

    UPDATE 2/22/2014: Lamp was sentenced to death for Ms. Irvine’s murder.

    The last person to be executed in North Carolina was Samuel Russell Flippen. He was executed in 2006 for the blunt force trauma death of his 2-year-old stepdaughter in 1994.

    UPDATE 5/30/2016: Lamp died earlier today of natural causes. He probably died more peacefully than he deserved or afforded his victim.

  • The victimless crime in Sacramento

    The victimless crime in Sacramento

    Local Woman Charged With Pimping Juveniles:

    22-year-old Felisha Mock of Sacramento, California, has been arrested for pimping out girls as young as 16 over craigslist.

    Investigators tell CBS13 that Mock set up the ring using Craigslist. The way it worked is the teenagers would allegedly solicit sex to customers, and investigators say Mock’s customers would then broker a deal over the phone getting a percentage of the sale.

    Some neighbors aren’t surprised because they say drug addiction is a big problem in this neighborhood.

    “And they need their drugs so they need to make money. They’re not going to work because they can’t pee in a cup,” says Carol.

    But they all must have entered prostitution voluntarily because people keep telling me it’s a victimless crime.

  • craigslist prostitution in Charlottesville

    craigslist prostitution in Charlottesville

    Looking Into The World Of Online Prostitution In Charlottesville:

    This is a great story from WCAV in Charlottesville, Virginia about craigslist prostitution in their area. I realize it was probably done for ratings sweep’s week, but it’s still a great story nonetheless.

    They interviewed a craigslist prostitute over the phone. Here’s just a sample of what really caught my attention…

    Mark: Do you have any kids?

    Alecia: uh huh.

    Mark: What do you tell them when you’re leaving the house?

    Alecia: I’m going to work. I do what I do right now so that they won’t have to.

    Yep, no victims there.

    But what was even more shocking to me was the police department’s response to this.

    We contacted Albemarle County and Charlottesville Police to get their reaction. Albemarle County Police say they were unaware of the website and would look in to it. Charlottesville Police said they would get back to us.

    What rock are they living under?

    craigslist had its usual response…

    Craigslist does ban illegal activity in their terms of use. After contacting them they say they do everything they can to prevent anything illegal on their website but it’s impossible to review each of the more than 30 million free postings submitted each month.

    Translation: We don’t care.

  • Mich. man gets 40-60 for the victimless crime

    Mich. man gets 40-60 for the victimless crime

    Man gets 40-60 years for abusing daughter:

    48-year-old William Pattison of Milford, Michigan was convicted and sentenced to 40–60 years in prison for first-degree criminal sexual conduct and pandering.

    Pattison started sexually abusing his daughter when she was 4 to 5 years old, then pimped her out on craigslist as an adult.

    Pattison is also accused of sexually abusing another female relative who is the mother to another one of his kids.

    But hey, prostitution is a victimless crime, remember. There’s no human trafficking involved at all.

    That was sarcasm, in case you couldn’t tell.

  • craigslist killer case continued

    craigslist killer case continued

    Craigslist case continued until May 7:

    Today, Michael John Anderson was supposed to have entered his plea in the murder of Katherine Ann Olson. He’s accused of killing her and hiding her body after she responded to a phony employment ad on craigslist placed by Anderson. However, the case has been continued until May 7th.

    According to this article, the case was continued because prosecutors have requested more time to complete forensic testing.

  • craigslist killer due in court

    craigslist killer due in court

    Murder suspect in court Tuesday:

    Michael John Anderson of Savage, Minnesota, is scheduled to appear in court this Tuesday to enter his plea. Anderson is accused of the murder of Katherine Ann Olson. Ms. Olson answered a fake ad on craigslist placed by Anderson advertising a nannying job. When Olson arrived for the ‘interview’ Anderson allegedly killed her by shooting her in the back and then disposed of her body.

    If Anderson pleads not guilty, then a trial date will be set.