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Meta Engineering Manager Arrested After Vigilante Sting Over Alleged Sexting of 13-Year-Old

Published video from a vigilante group serves as the main public evidence for a case that will return to court on September 9.

Overview

  • Josh Felker was arrested in Manhattan after a recorded confrontation with Predator Poachers Long Island and is charged with disseminating indecent material to minors and endangering the welfare of a child; he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday and is due back in court on September 9.
  • The allegations stem from an undercover decoy account that the group says Felker first contacted in May and messaged regularly over the following months.
  • Predator Poachers Long Island published video and chat logs they say show Felker sending explicit messages, photos and videos, trying to direct sexual behavior and attempting to arrange an in-person meeting, with the group saying he admitted the conduct on camera.
  • Felker’s LinkedIn profile, since removed, identified him as an engineering manager at Meta who worked on digital experiences for children, and media reports say Meta did not respond to requests for comment.
  • Because the central public evidence comes from a civilian sting rather than police-controlled procedures, the case raises questions about chain of custody and independent verification and observers should watch for NYPD confirmation and court testimony in the coming months.