Ernest Timmons

Ernest Clayton Timmons was born on June 29, 1974, in Merced, California. He belonged to both the Tacoma Community Christian Reform Church and the Promise Keepers. Ernest was considered a "passionate advocate" for youth projects, such as the Special Olympics.

Timmons was about to be deployed to Iraq.

Ernest gave false information regarding his identity, claiming to be "Kevin" and 30 years old. He was regarded as a "fast mover" since after only a short period of conversation with the decoy, he inquired about her virginity and whether she had ever had sex with her partner. Because the girl was a minor, Ernest claimed he was hesitant to pursue sexual questions. When the decoy asked for a photo, Ernest assured the decoy she would give the photo to the police. He argued that he would be terrified to have sex with a minor and then queried whether she has ever engaged in oral and anal sex. He once more voiced his concern by asking the decoy if she was "playing" with him and by asking whether a police officer would be waiting. When the decoy questioned why a cop would be in her home, Ernest explained that he was scared because he was talking to a child about having sex.

He said that he was concerned since he had seen sexual predators arrested for trying to meet children for sex on television. The decoy stated she didn't have a camera and suggested Ernest that he could bring one. He voiced concern once more and questioned the decoy as to why she couldn't pretend to be eighteen. After being convinced by the decoy, Ernest urged that she clean her genitalia so it would smell good when he performed oral sex on her.

The decoy Casey Mauro welcomes Ernest at the door. He enters the home but rejects all invitations for conversation and refreshments. He merely wants to go upstairs and get busy. Casey wondered as to if he would bring her lotion. When Ernest stated he hadn't brought any with him, Casey retorted that she believed he was going to teach her some sexual lessons. Ernest looked around the room and asked her if everything was okay. Casey replied that it was, and Chris Hansen made his appearance. Ernest is asked to take a seat by Chris. He complied and soon began to feel nervous. He gives the excuse that his friend instructed him to bring a camera to the house. When Chris asked what his friend's name was, Ernest stated that his friend's name was "Kevin." After Chris enquired about his last name, Ernest insisted he didn't know his last name and that they met on the base. Ernest begins to sweat profusely and declares that he is "stunned" because Chris doesn't accept his explanation. Chris responded humorously, stating he was "stunned" because he got caught. Ernest continued to sweat while asserting that he wasn't lying.

Ernest confessed that he had around a week and a half before his deployment to Iraq. In response, Chris said he decided to come over to have a "quicky" with a girl who was thirteen years old. It was, according to Ernest, "a joke." He admits to having a seven-year-old child and shows Chris a photo of his wife that was taken using the camera he had brought. Chris asked why a married military man with a child had rushed nervously into the home of a thirteen-year-old girl with a camera and asked to go upstairs. In return, Ernest said he was attempting to tell him the truth and said he didn't know why he would do it. Chris answered that he would be appearing on one and identified himself. Ernest cries, "Oh, please, sir!" as the cameras emerge. He persisted in saying that he was told by a friend to come over. He declared that he would maintain his story.

When Ernest left the residence, the police took him to the ground. He set down his camera and kept sobbing. Ernest tells the cops the same explanation he told Chris when they question him. Later, after being summoned before a judge, his bail was set at $50,000.

Ernest died at the age of 33 of liver failure in a community medical center while under guard from Ocean County police on September 7, 2007, after he intentionally stopped taking medication in order to avoid a prison term. Because he was a member of the military, he had been in police custody for six months since his arrest awaiting dishonorable discharge. His family was able to receive some military benefits as he died before he could be formally discharged. He was buried at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood, Washington.

His "Find A Grave" page had postings disabled due to rampant vandalism. His uncut interview with the decoy and Hansen was available at one point on the MSNBC subscription service but has not resurfaced.