Earlier this year, we reported on a top level official with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department who has been there for 25 years, Sergeant Luis Rios. Rios was busted by the vigilante group People vs. Preds as he tried to meet a 13-year-old boy for sex. Now, this vigilante group has just nabbed another high-level official — this time with the US Postal Service.

As, we have reported, across the country brave individuals like the folks at People vs. Preds provide a much needed service to society by launching undercover stings to ensnare child predators. These vigilante groups pose as children online and allow the predators to do all the talking as not to entrap them before scheduling a meeting and exposing the pedophiles.

The template for these encounters usually involves the alleged pedophile showing up to meet who they think is a child, and meeting the pedophile hunter instead. This is the same method employed by the highly popular show To Catch a Predator. 

The group People vs. Preds is one of the most successful of these organizations and has a record of dozens of confrontations in just the last few months — highlighting the serious problem of online predators attempting to meet children. One of the alleged predators to be ensnared by their tactics is making headlines this week as he is one of the highest ranking members of the US Postal Service.

Russell Rappel-Schmid, 52, is the Chief Data Officer for the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The PRC ironically oversees the U.S. Postal Service to ensure transparency and accountability. Rappel-Schmid joined the oversight body under President Joe Biden in May and previously served as the State of Alaska’s first chief data officer. He also worked at the USPS Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) on the data analytics team and as an audit manager.

Rappel-Schmid was arrested this week before the video was released online after police were called to the scene. He has since been fired from his role at the PRC. The 54-year-old was attempting to meet a 14-year-old boy for sex.

According to reports, Rappel-Schmid was in San Diego for a conference when San Diego Harbor Police Department officers arrested him, according to arrest records and his former employer.

In response to the video and criminal charges, the PRC terminated Rappel-Schmid from his position.

“The Postal Regulatory Commission has become aware of the recent arrest of one of our employees. Upon becoming aware of this information, the Commission has terminated this employee effective immediately. The Commission is shocked and horrified at these serious allegations and maintains a steadfast commitment to promptly deal with any claims of employee misconduct.”

The undercover vigilante with People vs. Preds first met Rappel-Schmid outside of his hotel where he confirmed he was there to meet the underage child for sex. The pair then went back to the hotel room where Rappel-Schmid admitted to being a child rapist.

“What am I sitting her for”? the vigilante asks Rappel-Schmid.

“Because I like young people,” Rappel-Schmid replied.

“What’s that make you”? he asked.

“I am a pedophile,” he said in the video.

He was then held there by the representative of People vs. Preds until police showed up Monday night and arrested him. Rappel-Schmid was released the following day.

 

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Article posted with permission from Matt Agorist