Dustin Hicks

In 2002, Hicks was arrested in Okaloosa, Florida for Possession of Alcohol Under 21. Hicks claimed during the sting that his only criminal history involved being arrested for Possession of Marijuana.

Hicks arrived to the sting house in a black Range Rover, greeted by the mother and daughter decoys on the large porch. Hicks briefly talked with the decoy mother about the house, where he expressed concern about it being a sting. He then noticed a camera hidden in a corner. The decoy tried to convince him that the camera was because the house was staged for sale, but Hicks got uneasy. Chris Hansen then came out from another room, prompting Hicks to run out of the front door. Deputies attempted to apprehend Hicks at the door, but he was able to escape their grip and run to his car. Hicks was brought to the ground just before he was able to get into his car and was handcuffed.

Upon being brought back to the kitchen, Chris scolded Hicks for not heeding his warning not to run. Hicks stated, "They got me pretty good." Hicks claimed that he did not intend to have sex with the minor, only the mother. Hicks responded, "Yeah."

Hicks interrupted to ask if he had to continue the interview. Hicks had no response. Hicks told Chris that he had seen Chris' shows before and thought the men caught in them were sick. Chris asked that if the other men were sick, what would Hicks be. Hicks responded, "Nothing." Chris asked, "The other guys are sick and you're nothing?" Hicks did not respond. Hicks maintained his innocence throughout the interview.

In a turn of events, Chief Deputy Brian Witt, who had been on scene, stated that he and Dustin Hicks knew each other. Deputy Witt emotionally explained that he was involved in a ministry group with a local church that helps people through their struggles, and Hicks was one of those men. Deputy Witt told Chris that he and Hicks were close and that he was shocked to find Hicks in this situation, thinking that Hicks had overcome many of his past struggles and came out a better man until the sting. Deputy Witt expressed that he wished this would be a wake up call for Hicks, but that it was such a strange experience for him that he could not properly process it at the moment. Sheriff Moon was also familiar with Hicks through Hicks' prominent family. Sheriff Moon described the situation as "heartbreaking" but also "eye-opening." He expressed sympathy for the emotional toll that Deputy Witt had to face, in addition to how the situation would effect Hicks' girlfriend.

Electronic Solicitation Traveling to Meet a Child to Perform a Sexual Act Human Trafficking Probation Violation/Felony (x3)