Male Student, 20, Pretends to Be Underage Teen Girl Using Snapchat Filter and Nabs Cop Allegedly Seeking Sex

The student, who was identified as Ethan, said he created the profile because he had a friend who’d been molested as a child.
A California police officer has been charged after a college student disguised himself as an underage girl looking for a hookup on Tinder using a Snapchat filter.
The student, who was identified only as Ethan, said he created the profile because he had a friend who’d been molested as a child, and he wanted to possibly uncover any pedophiles on the app, NBC Boston reported.
Using Snapchat’s gender-switch filter, Ethan disguised himself as a 16-year old girl. In May, one man allegedly messaged him, San Mateo Officer Robert Davies, according to police.
San Jose police arrested Davies, 40, last week for communicating with a minor with the intention of engaging in sexual activity. Ethan reportedly researched Davies after their messaging, which took place on Tinder, Kik Messenger and Snapchat, and determined he was a police officer.
Police said Davies has allegedly admitted to communicating with a minor.
He is currently on paid administrative leave with the San Mateo Police Department pending the outcome of an investigation, authorities said.
"This alleged conduct, if true, is in no way a reflection of all that we stand for as a Department, and is an affront to the tenets of our department and our profession as a whole," San Mateo Police Chief Susan Manheimer said in a statement.
"As San Mateo police officers, we have sworn an oath to serve and protect our communities. I can assure you that we remain steadfast to this commitment to serving our community with 'Professionalism, Integrity, and Excellence."
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