Citizens Group Sting Takes Down Predator

On January 14th, police in Hubbard, Ohio arrested 44 year old Jonathan Bellow after being tipped off by a citizens group coalition. The citizen groups NY Creeps Spotlight and Indiana Predator Hunters first made contact with Bellow online when he solicited a minor online. They turned the information over to two private groups, Predators Catchers PA and Veterans Against Predators who organized a sting operation to catch Bellow. Posing as a 14 year old girl, they were able to collect evidence of intent and met with Bellow at his residence where he admitted to talking to a 14 year and said he had thought about “maybe hooking up” with her. Upon being confronted about her being underage as well as him being 30 years her senior, he had stated “I don’t want to get into trouble”. Upon submitting the evidence to the police, Bellow was arrested and the confession video will be used in the prosecution.

The format in which the different organizations came together and submitted the evidence was applauded by the authorities. Bellow is currently being held without bond and is awaiting trial after pleading not guilty. If anyone has any information pertaining a predator within your community, contact the authorities or a nonprofit organization that specializes in catching predators.

Jonathan Bellow, 44 of Hubbard, Ohio was arrested after a sting operation that saw him soliciting a 14 year old.