Defensive Police Chief -- Des Moines' Use Of Rapist For Sex Sting Was Absurd
HIRING a convicted rapist to have sex with suspected prostitutes is an outrageous way to conduct a police sting.
Disclosure by Times reporter Peter Lewis that the Des Moines Police Department did that three years ago could be considered bad water over the dam. But Police Chief Martin Pratt defended the irrational practice. Later, City Manager Greg Prothman said it wouldn't be repeated.
Robert Berdue, the 29-year-old rapist and police informant, was authorized not only to get an agreement of sex for money - all that is necessary for an arrest - but to actually engage in sex acts.
Use of the rapist was criticized not only by defense attorneys, but by prosecutors and rape-relief counselors.
"For every reason I could think of, this is a bad idea that reveals a real lack of concern about the risks rapists pose to the community," observed Lucy Berliner, director of research at Harborview Medical Center's sexual-assault section.
Berdue, 29, has a history of being a full-time hustler and part-time informant for a variety of local and federal police agencies.
Des Moines eventually revoked the business license of the massage parlor, the Body Care Center, and several women were charged with prostitution. Charges ultimately were dismissed in all but one case.
Des Moines Chief Pratt said it never crossed his mind that Berdue might rape the targets of the sting. The chief said hiring Berdue was necessary to protect the public interest.
It is never in the public interest to send a rapist to a massage parlor to have sex to enforce the law.