Have A Seat with Chris Hansen

On this episode of Have a Seat with Chris Hansen, Chris is joined by Martin County, Florida Sheriff John Budensiek to talk about the harrowing case of two underaged sisters who were groomed on Roblox and eventually kidnapped by a man from Nebraska. For Hours went by and the family and law enforcement had no word, no leads, no clues, but it was a tech-savvy and quick thinking detective that cracked the case and eventually led to the mans arrest and girl's safe return home. The suspect, Hset Mu Lah Say is now facing charges from two states as well as federal prosecution, but this case and the ‘happy-ending’ needs to be heard by every parent or guardian with a child that is active on-line as they are always at risk of being groomed by another looking to do them harm. Thanks to our sponsors this episode: Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/chrishansen and use promo code HANSEN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty Have A Seat with Chris Hansen—the all-new platform from America’s most relentless crime fighting journalist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A seemingly ordinary car salesman hides a far darker agenda. Anthony Farr of Little Rock spends hours behind the wheel, driving six long hours across state lines for a meeting he believes will be with a minor. What began as a series of explicit online messages quickly turns into a disturbing journey fueled by anticipation—and intent.  But when Farr finally arrives in Livingston Parish, Louisiana, the person waiting for him isn’t who he expects. Chris is there, along with local law enforcement, ready to confront him the moment his carefully planned encounter falls apart.  Chris presses Farr in a revealing interview that exposes the troubling mindset behind predators who travel great distances to act on their fantasies. In this intense episode, the investigation lays bare the premeditation, deception, and dangerous patterns investigators look for—and the critical steps being taken to stop these encounters before a child becomes the victim.  Sponsored by: OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code HANSEN at https://www.oneskin.co/HANSEN #oneskinpod  Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/chrishansen and use promo code HANSEN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty  American Hartford Gold: Protect your wealth with precious metals! Call American Hartford Gold today & get up to $20,000 in free silver on your 1st order! Call 866-508-6029 or Text HANSEN to 65532, or Click the link below: https://offers.americanhartfordgold.com/content-affiliate/?Leadsource=Affiliate&utm_sfcampaign=701Nv00000aEv8GIAS  TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you’re looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Getyour official Have A Seat merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Have a Seat with Chris Hansen, Hansen is continuing his investigation into Roblox, the on-line gaming platform that is at the center of controversy surrounding lax measures to keep children safe from predators. Chris is joined by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as he too has filed suit against the mega-gamer for not protecting children, not disclosing crimes, and is asking for statutory damages for their security actions, or lack thereof. Multiple cases have come to light in Paxton’s state of Texas that struck a chord with him and his office, which he discusses with Hansen as the instigation of the lawsuit. The two also deliberate on what it will take to make kids safe on Roblox, who is culpable in the crimes against children both on the gaming platform and on chat sites like Discord, and how you can keep your kids safe on-line. Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/chrishansenand use promo code HANSEN to get aFREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty AirDoctor: Breathe cleaner air every day with AirDoctor—get up to $300 off at https://AirDoctorPro.com using promo code HANSEN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"If she wanted to play, I probably would have done oral and that's about it." ―Joseph Ross At the time of the sting, Joseph Ross resided in Marquette City, Michigan.  Ross was communicating with a fifteen-year-old decoy run by the Marquette County Sheriff's Office. During his chat with the decoy, he requested that she wear a thong, a halter bikini top, and pigtails and informed her that he was into fetish play. He requested a phone call with the decoy so that he could hear her voice. After the decoy told Ross over the phone that she wanted to have sex, Ross asked how many times she would "like to play." He then asked what she would charge and asked the decoy, "how much do you wanna be a little fuck slut?"  During the phone call, Ross asked the decoy what her age was. He said it was "A-Okay" that she was young.  Ross arrived at the sting house and immediately asked if it was setup upon entering. Once again assured that it was not, Ross took out $150 to pay the decoy, much less than the agreed upon $500. The decoy left and Chris walked out to meet Ross. Sponsored by:  AirDoctor: Breathe cleaner air every day with AirDoctor—get up to $300 off at https://AirDoctorPro.com using promo code HANSEN  Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/chrishansen and use promo code HANSEN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you’re looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators  Get your official Have A Seat merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Have a Seat with Chris Hansen, Chris is joined by British historian and author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, Andrew Lownie to dissect the relationship between ex-Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson and Jeffery Epstein and what it means for the future of the Royal Family.  Other high-profile names with ties to the monarch surround Epstein and his crimes, but Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was a documented fixture on Epstein and Maxwell’s scenes; what does he know, what did he witness, what did he partake in?  Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thirty-year-old Jesus Valverde Texta was arrested on October 23 in Genesee County, Michigan, after allegedly attempting to meet a 15-year-old girl following a sexually explicit online exchange. The arrest stemmed from a GHOST Team investigation that took an unexpected turn—Texta arrived at the meeting location while Chris was still interviewing another alleged predator.  Hear the full breakdown of the chaotic scene and listen as Chris methodically dismantles Texta’s account during the intense confrontation that followed. Sponsored by: Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/chrishansen and use promo code HANSEN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty  TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you’re looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Get your official Chris Hansen merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*This episode contains sensitive material and talk of suicide, audience discretion is advised* In this heartbreaking, shocking and emotionally raw episode of Have a Seat, Chris Hansen talks with Jason Sokolowski, a Canadian father whose daughter died by suicide in 2025 after being groomed by someone she met on Roblox and was messaging with on Discord. Penelope was just 16-years-old when someone going by the screen name “Culprit”, a member of the vicious online group 764, encouraged her to commit heinous acts, self harm and eventually to take her own life.  Today, Penelope’s father Jason speaks out about what he went through in the hopes to educate parents and adults on 764, the online group that prey upon our children to commit horrendous acts of self-harm and violence against themselves and others.      If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK  to 741741 Photo CreditInstagram - Jason Sokołowski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Lee is an alleged predator that was caught in a Blount County, Alabama investigation.  At the time of the sting, Lee had been living in or around Centerpoint, Alabama with his mother. He worked as a mechanic at a car dealership.  Lee had been communicating with a decoy posing as the aunt to a fifteen-year-old girl. He asked the decoy for a picture of her face or body. The aunt told Lee that her niece's age was fifteen, to which Lee stated, "That's cool. Fifteen's my fantasy." The decoy asked Lee if he would have sex with the girl, with Lee replying, "Yeah, I'm gonna fuck her good. I've got some good dick." He also asked if he could "eat some ass." He offered to bring marijuana to the house to give to the minor girl. Lee agreed to the proposition of having sex with the minor girl for $200. Lee arrived to the sting house and was greeted by the two decoys at the door. After they exited, Lee said to himself, "Oh, I forgot the condoms in the car." Chris then emerged to confront him. Sponsored by: Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/chrishansen and use promo code HANSEN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you’re looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators  Get your official Chris Hansen merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Have a Seat with Chris Hansen, Chris is joined by true crime YouTuber Paul White, aka JumpsuitPablo, to dive into the heinous crimes committed by Wade Wilson, the Dead Pool Killer.  Currently the focus of the new Paramount+ series, Handsome Devil: Charming Killer, Hansen and White explore how the Florida man went from murderer to viral heartthrob, amassing a harem of “Wade Wives” and thousands of dollars raised for him, all while sitting on death row.  Video & Photos Provided By Paramount+ @jumpsuitpablo @phonecallsfromprison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Would it be cool if I spent the night? You can say no.” In this episode of Predators I’ve Caught, Chris breaks down the chilling sting that led to the arrest of Milan Miko, a 25-year-old culinary student caught attempting to meet a minor for illegal sex. Working alongside the Genesee County Sheriff’s team, Chris reveals how Miko allegedly left his girlfriend’s family dinner to pursue the meetup—after sending explicit messages to a decoy posing as a 15-year-old. Chris also examines what may drive this kind of behavior, from compulsive pornography use to the need for control, and why understanding predator psychology is essential to protecting kids online.  Sponsored by: OneSkin: Get up to 15% off OneSkin with the code HANSEN at https://www.oneskin.co/HANSEN #oneskinpod  AirDoctor: Breathe cleaner air every day with AirDoctor—get up to $300 off at https://AirDoctorPro.com using promo code HANSEN  TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you’re looking for about the new people in your life, and todiscover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Get your official Chris Hansen merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have a Seat with Chris Hansen continues its coverage and conversation surrounding the gaming platform Roblox and the controversy of their questionable security measures.  On this episode, Chris Hansen is joined by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti who is joining his AG colleagues and filed a lawsuit against the company ‘alleging that they lure children into an environment it knows is dangerous but promises is safe, in violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)”.  Hansen and Skrmetti discuss how parents are being mislead into believing the platform is safe for children and how it should be a red flag that Roblox won’t let law enforcement on the platform to investigate criminal activity and complaints. If you’ve been following the Roblox headlines, it’s another episode of Have a Seat you won’t want to miss.  OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code HANSEN at https://www.oneskin.co/HANSEN #oneskinpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I just came to meet a girl to have sex. I didn’t know she was underage!” James Lee Peterson is a predator caught in a Marquette County, Michigan investigation.  At the time of the sting, Peterson had been living in Wallace, Michigan.  He had a son who was twenty-three and a daughter who was twenty-one at the time. Peterson has an extensive criminal history, including many possession of TCH charges, carrying a concealed weapon, drug paraphernalia, bail jumping, sex with a child 16 years of age or older, disorderly conduct, among others. Peterson had been communicating with a decoy posing as a fifteen-year-old girl. After learning of the decoy's age, Peterson offered her $100 to "fuck." He said that he wanted to have oral sex and make the girl "squirt." When Chris emerged to confront him, Peterson attempted to flee out of the front door but was stopped by deputies.  Sponsored by: AirDoctor: Breathe cleaner air every day with AirDoctor—get up to $300 off at https://AirDoctorPro.com using promo code HANSEN   OneSkin: Get up to 30% off OneSkin with the code HANSEN at https://www.oneskin.co/HANSEN #oneskinpod   TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you’re looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Get your official Have A Seat merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this urgent, special episode of Have a Seat with Chris Hansen, Chris is joined by Eva Yan, mother of Thomas Medlin who’s been missing since January 9th.  15-year-old Thomas of Long Island was seen on CCTV footage at Grand Central Station at 5:30p that same day, his cell phone was later found in lower Manhattan. The Suffolk Police Department believes that Thomas went into the city to meet someone he had been communicating with on the gaming platform Roblox, which according to his mother, is completely out of character for the intelligent and talented teen. Chris and Eva urge everyone to be on the lookout for Thomas, share his photo across social media, and contact the Suffolk Police Department if you have any information.  https://suffolkpd.org/Suffolk Police Department Fourth Squad Detective 631-854-8452 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special episode of Have a Seat with Chris Hansen, Chris and his former lead security officer Ron Knight take a trip down memory lane and reflect back on their years of catching potential predators together. From memorable men such as Rabbi David Kaye to John Kennelly, and the massive investigation in Riverside County, CA, Hansen has brought Knight ‘out of retirement’ to reveal to fans what happened behind the scenes and when cameras weren't rolling.   OneSkin: Get up to 30% off OneSkin with the code HANSEN at ⁠https://www.oneskin.co/HANSEN⁠#oneskinpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Come on, man! I didn’t see the text!” Daryl Rudick is an alleged predator caught in a Blount County, Alabama investigation.  Rudick began communicating with a decoy posing as a fifteen-year-old girl. Before the decoy revealed her age, Rudick requested "just sex" in exchange for a $100 donation.  When Rudick arrived to the sting house, he talked with the decoy about her Northern accent. He had her say the word "oil" to note the differences between her accent and his. They also talked about Ohio State football, since the decoy said she was from Ohio, wherein Rudick claimed to a bored decoy that Ohio State could not beat Michigan that year. He was right. Chris then emerged asking what his accent sounded like. And the interrogation was on. Sponsored by: TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you’re looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Get your official Chris Hansen merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kentucky Attorney General Russel Coleman joins Chris Hansen on this episode of Have a Seat to discuss his recent lawsuit against the gaming platform Roblox. AG Coleman joins his colleagues in such states as Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee in the fight to make Roblox safe against on-line child predators. AG Coleman calls Roblox a playground for criminals to have access to kids and that could lead to grooming and child exploitation. He also provides valuable advice for parents when there’s zero margin or error when it comes to allowing your children on the gaming site.     Photo/Video Credits: @RealSchlep Attorney General Russell Coleman https://www.ag.ky.gov/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Ah! Oh my god, you scared the crap outa' me!" Barrett's reaction to Chris coming out. Mark Barrett is a predator caught in the Blount County, Alabama investigation. He is mostly known for his large ears, muscular build, and passive aggressive attitude during his arrest and interview.  Barrett was born in August of 1985. In a joint operation between the Blount County Sheriff's office and the Genesee County, Michigan G.H.O.S.T. Team, Barrett, under the alias of "Alex," had a sexually charged conversation with the decoy who pretended to be a fifteen-year-old girl.  Barrett was initially skeptical of meeting, fearing that the decoy was actually a set-up to rob him, but eventually calmed his nerves after the decoy sent him a picture of herself. Barrett showed up to the sting house carrying bottles of Coca-Cola and a bottle of Apple Crown Royal whisky. He asked the decoy if she wanted her drink mixed, to which she responded that she wants "a heavy pour," like any normal fifteen-year-old girl would ask for. Then, Chris appeared from around the corner while Barrett was getting ice for the drink, startling him. Sponsored by: TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you’re looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Get your official Chris Hansen merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Have a Seat with Chris Hansen, Chris is joined by Jeffery Epstein victim and survivor Juliette Bryant. Bryant recounts, in disturbing detail, meeting Epstein and other high profile figures, what happened when he and his staff took her from South Africa to the U.S., and her time on both Epstein’s private Caribbean island and ranch in New Mexico. Bryant also shares rarely seen photos and reveals how life is for her today. Photo Credits https://x.com/JulietteBryant anniefarmer.com / Rob Bergman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feras Mahmoud Klisli is an alleged predator caught in a Polk County, Florida investigation.  At the time of the sting, Klisli had been living in Orlando, Florida with his wife, Heba, and their adult disabled daughter.  Klisli had been communicating with a decoy posing as a fourteen-year-old virgin girl. Described as "cryptic" by detectives, Klisli said in the chat that he wanted to kiss the girl all over her body and wanted sex. Klisli acknowledged the decoy's age at least five times, saying, "I hope I can meet with you, but you are 14 and that's dangerous."  When Klisli arrived at the sting house, he was taken into custody immediately after getting out of his car, instead of the typical scenario where the alleged predator walks into the house. Deputies took him to the ground in the middle of the road while Klisli repeatedly asked what was happening. Detectives called the number they had for Klisli, to verify that the person they were talking to was the man that showed up, and it appeared that Klisli had the decoy's name saved as "14.” During the interview with Chris, Klisli claimed that he did not know that the decoy was underage, instead claiming that he thought she was nineteen.  After further questioning, Klisli admitted that he did know that the decoy said she was fourteen, but claimed that he thought she was a liar.   Sponsored by: TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you’re looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Get your official Chris Hansen merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Have a Seat, Chris Hansen is joined by the dynamic, passionate and polarizing lawman of Genesee County, Michigan, Sheriff Chris Swanson. Most recognized for dropping his riot gear and joining a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Flint, Sheriff Swanson and Hansen dive into the many projects and community efforts Sheriff Swanson has and is spearheading; from how G.H.O.S.T (the Genesee County Human Oppression Strike Team) was created to protect children and combat human trafficking, to working with music sensation Jelly Roll on the I.G.N.I.T.E program, and how together Hansen, Sheriff Swanson, and his team have identified and arrested dozens of men attempting to commit crimes against children, including a local doctor and former police officer!  Sheriff Swanson is now setting his sights on the entire community of the state of Michigan as he’s announced his run for Governor and reveals to Chris if he has a shot at winning the office.  Footage Courtesy of:  Takedown with Chris Hansen PBS News Genesee County, Michigan Sheriff’s Office  Sheriff Chris Swanson Chris Swanson for Governor  G.H.O.S.T. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices