James Mitchell

He told Chris Hansen that she was a teacher and that he was thinking of proposing to her. Mitchell claims to be Muslim.

James Mitchell got lost on the way to the sting house, but eventually found his way there. He greeted the decoy at the door and walked in, immediately asking if there were cameras set up. Despite a very obvious camera with a large lens loosely covered with fabric only a few feet away from his face, Mitchell did not seem to notice. The decoy left and Chris Hansen emerged. This startled Mitchell, who let out a quick, "Ah!" Chris advised Michell to sit at the kitchen island table, but Mitchell stood there stunned. He turned toward the door but was stopped by police and sat at the table. Chris asked Mitchell how old he was, to which he responded, "too old." Chris also questioned Mitchell about his employment. Information about this can be found in the Biography and Aftermath sections.

Chris asked Mitchell why he was at the sting house that night and Mitchell answered, "to do something I shouldn't be doing. To have sex. With a person I shouldn't be doing it with." Chris questioned why Mitchell shouldn't have sex with that person, but he responded that he did not know. Mitchell then admitted it was because the decoy was fifteen-years-old. When asked what he was looking for on a dating app, Mitchell responded "just, have a little bit of fun." Chris directly asked whether Mitchell's plan was to come over to have anal sex with a boy. Mitchell affirmatively responded, "mhmm." He also said "yep" when Chris asserted that Mitchell was not at all concerned about the lifelong implications that anal sex would have on a fifteen-year-old boy.

Mitchell, seemingly sweaty and out-of-breath for the entire interview, remained quiet while staring into the lens of one of the cameras. He started to speak again when questioned about his previous experiences on the dating app, saying that he has met up with "a couple" of guys from it in the past but did not know why he decided to come over to rape a fifteen-year-old boy that night.

Chris began asking Mitchell about his family. Mitchell explained that his mother was at church at that moment and that he "shoulda went to church." He said that his mom believed that he was at home. Chris Hansen responded, "But you're here trying to suck dick and have anal sex with a fifteen-year-old boy." Mitchell responded, "yep." Mitchell admitted that he had brought condoms and lubricant but had left the condoms in his truck. A majority of Mitchell's responses were limited to "yep," "nope," "I don't know," and "I know."

Mitchell said that he had reservations about showing up and circled the block checking out the house first before stopping. He also said that his girlfriend "shuld berk up wit me" (trying to say that she should break up with him in a heavy accent). He stated that he used to heavily watch porn, to the point of an addiction, and that it was a reason he was there, but also claimed that he no longer had a porn addiction. Mitchell's final advice to other predators was, "don't meet up with a minor."

Deputy Moore, the officer running the decoy's online account and communicating via text with Mitchell (not the person who met Mitchell at the door), was described by Chris Hansen as "visibly shaken" upon seeing Mitchell enter. Deputy Moore said that "I guess there's been some accusations, but I wouldn't have expected it to be him showing up."

Sheriff Moon and his staff had all known Mitchell as a member of the community. Sheriff Moon was at his church during the sting and left when he was given the news.

Electronic Solicitation Travelling to Meet a Child to Perform a Sexual Act Transmitting Obscene Material to a Child

The church put out a statement that read:

James served as our nighttime custodian, with hours that typically occurred when most individuals were off campus. We believe the arrest is unrelated to the church or its community. Since the details of the situation have not yet been released, the church will refrain from further comment until the investigation is concluded. We are deeply saddened by this news and extend our heartfelt sympathy. They will need our support now more than ever. We pray for wisdom and discernment in these difficult moments. We are grateful that You have prepared a place for us where sin and its consequences will no longer exist. Help us to support them and be the hands and feet of Christ during this time. Amen. Bro. Randy"

Mitchell wore yellow DeWalt wireless bluetooth neckband headphones to the sting house.