Deputies arrest members of vigilante group after suspected sex predator was injured during sting
WACO, Texas (KWTX/Gray News) - Three apparent members of Oklahoma Predator Prevention, an online vigilante group that entraps suspected sex predators, were arrested after their recent involvement in a case in Texas.
Russell Goodwin, Ryan Koch and George Liebsch are charged with felony unlawful restraint-expose to substantial risk of serious bodily injury; two of the individuals have “extensive criminal histories spanning several years,” the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office said.
The investigation started in August when the three Oklahoma Predator Prevention members traveled to McLennan County, Texas, to confront a man who allegedly engaged in an explicit online conversation with someone he believed was an underage girl, according to deputies.
The girl was actually a decoy used by Oklahoma Predator Prevention to entrap the suspected predator; he was arrested by law enforcement on Oct. 6.
Goodwin’s wife said this is a situation they’ve seen go down many times before.
“We see where the conversation goes and then we normally meet up with them and go over the chat logs with them, immediately call police and hope for a conviction,” she explained.
According to the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Predator Prevention was founded by Goodwin and follows a trend that has become common among social media vigilante groups that use “decoys” and “catchers” to carry out sting-like operations that target suspected sex predators.
The confrontations, often referred to as “catches,” are often streamed live on social media with the intent of exposing and humiliating the alleged predators.
The livestreams also “generate online content aimed at” monetizing and building a large audience, the sheriff’s office said.
In August 2025, Oklahoma Watch, a non-partisan investigative journalism group, published an article describing Oklahoma Predator Prevention, or OPP, as a vigilante group.
“While OPP claims to protect children, critics say OPP’s aggressive tactics, including targeting disabled individuals, jeopardize criminal cases and lead to false confessions and evidentiary issues without legal accountability,” the sheriff’s office said in summary of the Oklahoma Watch report.
The case involving Oklahoma Predator Prevention and the Texas man resulted in an investigation that did confirm the target sent sexually explicit photos to the decoy, the sheriff’s office said.
During the investigation, deputies reviewed video of the confrontation between the sting suspect and the three Oklahoma Predator Prevention members.
“The video revealed a coordinated effort by the three OPP members to control and restrict the man’s movements, including directing him where to stand, corralling him into a secluded area, all the while using aggressive and profane language,” the sheriff’s office described.
During the confrontation, the man lost consciousness, collapsed and hit his head, according to deputies.
“It was only at that point that OPP members notified law enforcement,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
Goodwin said “it’s still very confusing” and previously claimed that he stood with the other two suspects “a decent space away.”
The McLennan County Sheriff’s Office said it remains fully committed to protecting children, but also wants to emphasize the importance of public safety and lawful conduct.
The sheriff’s office discouraged the public from engaging in vigilante activities. Instead, the agency urged individuals to report suspected criminal behavior to law enforcement immediately.
“Confronting suspected predators without proper training or proper law enforcement support is extremely dangerous and can result in unintended harm, tainted evidence and interference with criminal investigations,” the sheriff’s office added.
The Oklahoma Predator Prevention members were arrested in Oklahoma and are in the process of being extradited to McLennan County.
Copyright 2025 KWTX via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.