Teens Arrested After Posting Incriminating Video To MySpace

from the that-person-on-your-top-eight-is-a-cop dept

Thu, Apr 6th 2006 8:37am — Joseph Weisenthal

Once again, MySpace proves to be a friend of law and order. Two teenagers have been arrested after posting a video of themselves firebombing an abandoned airplane hanger to the site. It seems that while many fear the site could be a haven for criminals and predators, it's proving to be a place where scofflaws publicly expose their misdeeds. In fact, this could be the fulfillment of Jay Walker's vision for an online neighborhood watch. It's not clear if anyone thinks their pages are actually private. Surely they realize how easy it is to sign up and look at other people's profiles. Then again, if you're looking for yet another data point to explain why MySpace has lapped the field in the social networking space, it may have something to do with the perception that it is a private clubhouse that outsiders wouldn't get, or don't know about. Again, we can't help but wonder what happens when the MySpace generation runs for office.

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40 Comments

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TriZz, 6 Apr 2006 @ 9:05am

HAHA!
Tom for President in 2016!!
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- Zealot, 6 Apr 2006 @ 2:51pm
  
  Candidacy
  Our MySpace Generation President will be decided not by that anti-democratic, aging, and archaic "Electoral College" thingy, but by which candidate has the most friends.
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- Anonymous Coward, 1 Mar 2007 @ 1:09pm
  
  Re: HAHA!
  if u r im goin to canida
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Patrick Mullen, 6 Apr 2006 @ 9:18am

If MySpace is where scofflaws (idiots would be a better word) publicly expose their misdeeds, then it would seem to be a haven for criminals and predators. Course, not bright ones maybe, but whatever. Somehow though, I doubt if Osama has a MySpace page where terrorists exchange plans.
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dani, 6 Apr 2006 @ 10:12am

Surely the terrorists have a "social networking" site! They like to brag about as much as teenage boys don't they?

Cops monitoring sites like MySpace for criminal behavior in teens is a good idea, and even though some will be smart enough to keep their mouths shut, there will always be those who have to brag...it's SO cool to be bad.
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- ehrichweiss, 6 Apr 2006 @ 10:56am
  
  Cops and MySpace
  Funny you should mention cops monitoring myspace. Here in Lexington, Kentucky we had a bunch of officers get brought up on disciplinary action for posting stuff on their myspace page that "reflected badly on the police force". One of the officers made fun of mentally retarded people, another said he "protects the snobby people of Lexington" and another, who had arrested country singer John Michael Montgomery for DUI charges had posted a photoshopped image of the singer hanging out with the officer at a bar. Needless to say Internal Affairs didn't take too kindly to that.
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  - dani, 6 Apr 2006 @ 11:06am
    
    Re: Cops and MySpace
    isn't MySpace for kids?
    
    Do men ever grow up? No wonder important gov people are trying to "groom 14 year old girls for sex"...he didn't realize he was older.
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No One Inparticular, 6 Apr 2006 @ 11:05am

So I take it that myspace isn't the place to post my video that ends with sparks shooting off from that hoveround wedged beneath my bumper?
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Bob, 6 Apr 2006 @ 11:55am

Social Network
MySpace is a social network. Whether it's cool or lame, for old or young, for better or for worse, it's still a network designed for people to communicate. In my (offline) personal circle of friends I still have to watch what I say; I should not mention anything I would not want a lot of others knowing, whether it be playing hooky from work (lest my boss find out) or if I'm sleeping around, etc. It's common sense. MySpace as haven for miscreants? It's no more a haven than the Internet as a whole. The fact that pyromaniacal kids posted a vid there versus on a personal site that gets crawled by Google or on You Tube is a moot point. If authorities want to scour the Web for all kinds of videos depicting law violations, they should broaden the scope of thier search and check ALL sources of online video.

But where does the policing start and stop? Let's say there's a video of some folks partying in someone's living room. Let's say the attendees span ages from 19 to 25 but age is not readily apparent. And let's say that all are drinking. Will they be investigated? What if someone on camera jokes with a 20-yr-old and says, "Hey, you're under 21!" Will there then be an investigation? What if someone in the background can be seen smoking out of a pipe that looks to be a pot pipe? Will the non-violent offender be investigated? Hmm. I see lots of profile pics on MySpace showing people with pot pipes, even with captions like "stoned again" or the like. Should they be arrested?
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Margaret, 6 Apr 2006 @ 12:03pm

Firebommbers
Everyday I'm amazed at the stupidity of crimminals. Perhaps the 'my space generation' will learn (over time) by their mistakes. On the other hand if these fools, and others who are equaly as foolish, wish to expose their misdeeds ,it just makes them that much easier to be caught. Good !
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Clown Smash, 6 Apr 2006 @ 12:23pm

What is the difference?
Actually I did have something to say, but I am tired.. Too weak to care what ignorant people have to say. All is lost now that stupidity has ......... blah blah blah. zzzzzzz
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BlackCow, 6 Apr 2006 @ 12:55pm

mypsace generation!
The myspace generation is to stupid to run for office. Although I would be considerd in the myspace generation because of my age I would not be cought dead with a myspace account. Freaken place for n00bs.
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- Anonymous Coward, 6 Apr 2006 @ 8:31pm
  
  Re: mypsace generation!
  Thats funny coming from someone so obviously using internet slang sounds like your just too cool for school. Trying to be hip by not doing the in thing.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Apr 2006 @ 12:58pm

haha - NO ONE is too stupid to run for office. The current selection in Washington proves that beyond doubt!!!
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anonymous coward, 6 Apr 2006 @ 1:04pm

MySpace - Where teen girls trade sexual favors for drugs, alcohol, or gifts from adult men! Cool slogan!

I had a blast until I got bored with teaching young girls to give head. Then I found that the MILFs on MySpace are even more desperate than the teens! They take in the ass and thank you for the attention!

With that said, I completely understand that getting laid from MySpace is like winning a gold medal in the special olympics.
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Daniel, 6 Apr 2006 @ 1:27pm

Look in the mirror
Why are we pointing the fingers as if it's there fault. Why not take a look at the current state of things... the parents of RIGHT NOW raising the "MySpace" generation"!!

"Educate your children to self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future and crimes from society."
Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
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baddog357, 6 Apr 2006 @ 1:55pm

DUH
Lets face it. Most criminals are STUPID! They don't catch the smart ones. BTW, arguing on the internet is like running in the special Olympics.
Even if you win you are still retarded.

I AM SOFA KING WE TODD DID
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ClizBiz, 6 Apr 2006 @ 2:00pm

WSpace
Perhaps MySpace will come to be a form of social Darwinism and naturally weed out true idiots from ever climbing past the first rung. Here in Corporate America, every new job applicant's name is put into MySpace and already, we've learned a bit more about this generation than we ever wanted to know.

I only wish MySpace could've been around back when Dubya was snorting his brains away and marinating his already-blackened soul in beer and whiskey. Photos like that could've really saved us a lot of wasted time, money and lives.
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- Ian, 7 Apr 2006 @ 11:13am
  
  Bill in WSpace
  Don't look too closely on MySpace...you'll see Bill Clinton trolling for new interns....what's with you? Bill's documented, but never admitted drug use is OK but W's freely admitted drug use isn't? Can you spell hypocracy?
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  - Shiggity, 1 Mar 2007 @ 12:45pm
    
    Re: Bill in WSpace
    Can you spell hypocrisy?
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Joe, 6 Apr 2006 @ 2:31pm

Is it me or would a smart criminal?
make a fake network of "friends on myspace" and post fake video's or comments about underage drinking parties and such to divert the police to stake out other locations while they did real crimes?

Anyone else see what I'm saying or am I just mentally warped?
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- Rupert Murdoch, 6 Apr 2006 @ 2:49pm
  
  Re: Is it me or would a smart criminal?
  I guess you've never been to a Cake Party then...
  http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/08/education/edlife/facebooks.html?ex=1144468800&en=40b4 18e3ced8d18f&ei=5070
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Tyson, 6 Apr 2006 @ 2:47pm

What is the MySpace Generation?
So what is the age range for the "MySpace" generation? Just curious to see if I fall into that generation or not... I sure hope not...

Anyways, I personally didn't have a myspace account until recently because I thought it was stupid.... Well, I have one now (at the request of some friends) and guess what.... I was right, it is horribly stupid. When I signed up someone told me "Welcome to my new addication". If posting as much personal information as you can onto a website where everybody can see it can be called an addiction. A quick Google search could completely ruin some people's chances in a job interview. I have found that people on there (no matter what the age on their profile may say) have the maturity of 6 year olds and the worst taste of web design that I think I have ever seen. Whoever is creating those horrid mySpace layouts need to be shot!
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omg, 6 Apr 2006 @ 2:53pm

Ohh emm gee dont ever diss myspace again sheesh. its my life guys!
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Joe Irony, 6 Apr 2006 @ 2:59pm

Idiots
You blog commenting morons are no different than these myspace idiots.
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- Anonymous Coward, 6 Apr 2006 @ 3:25pm
  
  Re: Idiots
  Interesting... who is the greater moron, the watched or the watcher?
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Apr 2006 @ 6:00pm

hangAr
surely?
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Kenny, 7 Apr 2006 @ 7:24am

Why do kids have no common sense whatsoever these days? I mean come on, think about the consequences of your actions!
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princess, 18 Apr 2006 @ 12:57pm

i think that people should be cautious to what you put on myspace,peoplr dont know if your really doin it or noy but ifcourse its a threat
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dave, 17 May 2006 @ 1:11pm

why
why are you so concerned about myspace? I think the fire bomb is funny and your all just as bad as myspacers by writing in to this???????????
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corey, 11 Jun 2006 @ 8:53am

Fuck that.
They should be able to put whatever they want on there myspace. It was a abanded building, no one was using. They did not harm anything or anyone, so leave them the fuck alone
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Clayton, 26 Jul 2006 @ 4:38pm

re:fuck that
amen brother, amen!
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none of your business, 13 Sep 2006 @ 10:41am

myspace
i think that myspace is a good thing. it is a way for kids to express themselfs. if the kids dont know the people that send them friend reguests then dont aprove them!
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none of your business, 13 Sep 2006 @ 10:43am

o and..
these guys are dumb for posting what they did! if they would have kept it a secret it would have been just fine! dumb asses
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Christina Marie, 19 Nov 2006 @ 2:25pm

Stop your bitching
From what I understand, Myspace was developed for a social outlet, more so for bands? In any case, it has worked, all kinds of celebrities are online there. From there it has turned into a world social outlet, for lost friends, for new friends, evidently even for an online black book for some (comment above). You can set your page to private. You can choose who can view it or even ask to be added to your friends list. As any tool, if used properly it is very effective and can be a good experience. You can not blame a tool, you have to blame the person using it. Otherwise you might as well ban socialism and set a curfew. No one allowed to hang out and express themselves because it just leads to violence! Oh lord. It's time people start looking inside themselves with open eyes. And stop looking at what people tell them to look at.
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Spitz, 5 Dec 2006 @ 8:24pm

It Isn't Good Thing
I can't believe the dirt that you people are saying. For one myspace is a sick and evil thing that I will never be a part of and as a Christian I am glad that God has given me the wisdom to actually know how stupid it really is. Oh sure you may think it is fun, but why risk yourself? Seriously it is wrong. So don't mess with that kind of stuff. It makes me really sad that so many teens are so oblivious, and I am also a teen and yet I can see that it is terrible. So I hope everyone who reads this will really think about it and hopefully you'll stop. Because it isn't worth getting killed over, or any of that other sick stuff.
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- 8=====D, 17 Feb 2007 @ 1:12am
  
  Re: It Isn't Good Thing
  Thats cool, god always divinely intervenes when I post blogs and everyone knows Jesus hates technology...but you have to admit, he could have used google earth when he was running from those Jews haha
  but really, who cares about who uses myspace and the nature of it all?? You shouldnt blame it because society is so morally bankrupt and aimless to know how to use it. Let the animals feed off themselves is what I say..
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Kit, 10 Apr 2008 @ 12:19am

What do y'all expect when kids can get away with whatever they want to. They'll probably get off with probation or some crap equally easy. Mom and Dad (if dad is even around these days) need to beat thier little asses. Oh, my bad, diciplining your kids nowadays is called "child abuse".
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Kit, 10 Apr 2008 @ 12:19am

What do y'all expect when kids can get away with whatever they want to. They'll probably get off with probation or some crap equally easy. Mom and Dad (if dad is even around these days) need to beat thier little asses. Oh, my bad, diciplining your kids nowadays is called "child abuse".
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shadow, 3 Nov 2008 @ 1:53pm

anarchy
there are so many rules that it is impossibe to follow the all if kids wanna play with fire let the its not going to hurt any oon e if the place is abandoned if kids want to smoke then smoke up no one has ever overdosed on weed
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