Lane Files Charges Against Bates

[Jay]

D.A. files charges against



By The Associated Press

Prosecutors filed three felony charges of pandering against Brian Bates on Wednesday, accusing the so-called "Video Vigilante" of paying prostitutes so he could videotape their sexual encounters with customers.

Bates, 34, would capture acts of prostitution on camera ostensibly to disrupt the criminal practice, but as television shows began paying him for his video, he began paying women to solicit customers so he could record it, Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane said in announcing the charges.

"When I first met Brian Bates, he was a neighborhood activist making the apparent effort to help rid our neighborhoods of prostitution," Lane said. "He would do this by being an appropriately obnoxious presence to prostitutes and their customers, filming their conduct and turning the videos over to both police and wives.

"Somewhere along the way, however, Mr. Bates started receiving money for his videos from television producers and what was once serving the law and citizens evolved into an effort to feed the demands of national television interests."

Scott Adams, Bates' attorney, called the pandering charges "a joke."

"He never offered money to a prostitute to hook up with customers," Adams said. "He paid for interviews. All he was trying to do was get interviews with prostitutes."

Lane said Bates' recent video work had become "just this side of pornography." He said Bates gave $40 to $60 on each of three occasions to a prostitute to solicit a customer.

Police wired the prostitute for sound to gather evidence against Bates. Adams said this taints the investigation.

"The D.A.'s office got into bed with a known prostitute and an admitted felon and it's the biggest joke I've ever seen in my life," he said.

Bates was first arrested on pandering allegations on Feb. 10. Police then turned the case over to the district attorney's office for consideration of formal charges.

He allegedly would advise the prostitute on how to get male customers out of their vehicle before engaging in the sex act so he could get graphic footage.

Bates has a Web site - www.videovigilante.com - that displays some of his video footage and is a regular guest on the "Maury Povich" show.

Conviction on a felony charge of pandering, or encouraging people to engage in prostitution, could carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

In July 2002, Bates provided footage to the district attorney's office of police striking an unarmed black man two white officers were trying to arrest. Bates had alerted police that the man and a prostitute were having sex in a van in church parking lot. The incident sparked racial tensions and allegations of police brutality.

Adams said this angered police and led to a pattern of harassment that resulted in the pandering prosecution. The district attorney's office denies this.

In the past few months, Bates has been critical of Lane on his Web site, accusing the district attorney of giving preferential treatment to an assistant district attorney accused of trying to solicit a prostitute, who turned out to be an undercover police officer. The prosecutor resigned before receiving a one-year deferred sentence and a $500 fine.

[mranderson]

I hope he is convicted and gets every minute of the 60 years. He deserves it.

[El Gato Pollo Loco!!!]

ya know...I just visited the site, because I really don't know too much about him and all. To be honest, it just seems..creepy would be the word I'd use I think. I'm not sure what good all that does honestly. I mean, doing it for "the public good" seems honorable, but if he's charging money for videos? Yeah, that's shady....

[Patrick]

I always wondered why a sensible man would risk his own life to film prostitutes.

I suppose at one time he was trying to do a public good, but once he saw dollar signs ans fame, it because a business, an illegal one at that. Of course he claims he was simply charging for tapes to recoup money he had invested in his community service venture. Personally, I don't see it that way.

I think the guy is sick in the head! You have to be to want to go out there and film prostitutes in the act.

[Jay]

I really don't think he will do any jail time for this. I think in the end he will plea out a deal or get probation. The terms of either will probably include him being required to mind his own business and stop filming prostitutes. They might also put a restraining order on him stating that if he is to stay away from prostitute hangouts.


I think he was crazy to do this in the first place. I'm suprised he has not been seriously assaulted or killed by now. Some these johns and pimps are dangerous people and they don't care if they go to prison. Can you imagine if he did this in NYC or L.A.?

[mranderson]

I really don't think he will do any jail time for this. I think in the end he will plea out a deal or get probation. The terms of either will probably include him being required to mind his own business and stop filming prostitutes. They might also put a restraining order on him stating that if he is to stay away from prostitute hangouts.


I think he was crazy to do this in the first place. I'm suprised he has not been seriously assaulted or killed by now. Some these johns and pimps are dangerous people and they don't care if they go to prison. Can you imagine if he did this in NYC or L.A.?

Even though I would LOVE to see Brian share a cell in the state prison with the "sisters," I must agree that he will probably dodge the bullet.

It is very difficult for me to refrain from telling my feeings about Brian Bates because I loathe what he stands for, and can not stand the site of the man (and I use that term loosly). He is power hungry and I have seen first hand the effects of it. The people who have known me from past boards know this.

If he does get a stretch in the joint, it will be the ultimate payback. I am keeping my fingers crossed for time. I just wish I could serve on his jury, but legally I can not. I know him.

In Los Angeles or New York City would he have a problem with pimps? Probably not. He might with some certain families, but I doubt with pimps.

[OKLApi]

Thomas Brian Bates has gone to great lengths to hide who he really is. He is a con artist who enjoys the limelight of being a witness. He began as a witness in 92 or 93 claiming to be the only witness to a murder at a bar in OKC. Next he falsely accused a local man of assault and tried to wreck his life. Since then he has accused anyone of anything that he could come up with. He makes false accusations and tries to bully anyone that dares to defy his greatness. I do find it interesting that he thinks he can videotape and record others doing wrong, but when he is videotaped and recorded doing something wrong, he claims he was setup and has been falsely accused. Check the court record on www.oscn.net. The filing against him is very interesting reading.

People in glass houses........

[Patrick]

Thanks OKLApi! I completely agree with your assessment, and I appreciate your input.

mranderson and I can both testify that he falsely accuses people. We've both had experiences with him. Thankfully, people are starting not to believe him any longer.

[Keith]

Thomas Brian Bates has gone to great lengths to hide who he really is. He is a con artist who enjoys the limelight of being a witness. He began as a witness in 92 or 93 claiming to be the only witness to a murder at a bar in OKC. Next he falsely accused a local man of assault and tried to wreck his life. Since then he has accused anyone of anything that he could come up with. He makes false accusations and tries to bully anyone that dares to defy his greatness. I do find it interesting that he thinks he can videotape and record others doing wrong, but when he is videotaped and recorded doing something wrong, he claims he was setup and has been falsely accused. Check the court record on www.oscn.net. The filing against him is very interesting reading.

People in glass houses........

Yep, it sure does sound like the Brian Bates we know, huh Patrick?

[OKLApi]

My curiousity is up. Tell me about your dealings with Master Bates.

[OKLApi]

Oh, typo, Mister Bates....Tee Hee

[Keith]

My curiousity is up. Tell me about your dealings with Master Bates.

I think you had it right the first time.

Want to know more about him....go to www.videovigilante.com. Just make sure you view the website on an empty stomach.

[Keith]

It looks like Brian Bates was back in court today, trying to defend the charges being filed against him. His attorney says that the police and the DA's office have a personal vendetta against Mr. Bates, however, DA Wes Lane says that they have the proof on tape that Brian Bates is guilty.

His attorney has said that there will be no plea agreement because his client is innocent. It looks like this will go to trial, and the outcome will be decided by a jury. His next court appearance is April 28.

So, do I have any takers who would like to be on that jury??

[mranderson]

It looks like Brian Bates was back in court today, trying to defend the charges being filed against him. His attorney says that the police and the DA's office have a personal vendetta against Mr. Bates, however, DA Wes Lane says that they have the proof on tape that Brian Bates is guilty.

His attorney has said that there will be no plea agreement because his client is innocent. It looks like this will go to trial, and the outcome will be decided by a jury. His next court appearance is April 28.

So, do I have any takers who would like to be on that jury??

Oooo, oooo. Pick me, pick me!

[Jay]

I have a feeling a request for a change of venue will be next.

Newsok.com held a poll asking about the opinion of Mr. Bates' efforts. The poll overwhelmingly opposed his efforts by 10:1.

I think you can expect a guilty verdict. Otherwise I don't think Wes Lane would waste his time on this case.

[Patrick]

He's been unliked in the OKC metro area for sometime. I'm not siding with the guy, but I think moving the trial to another location in the state might be a good idea.

He is no Tim MvVeigh or Terry Nichols, so I doubt his case gets moved.

Personally, I think the verdict is all on tape.

[Patrick]

By the way, here's the article:

"'Video Vigilante' appears in court


By Nick Trougakos
The Oklahoman

Self-proclaimed “video vigilante” Brian Bates made a brief court appearance Tuesday, his first since being charged with three counts of pandering.
NEWS 9 report

Bates was in Oklahoma County District Court with his attorney for an arraignment in front of Special Judge Russell Hall.

The judge read the charges against Bates and told the defendant to return to court April 28, at which time a date for a preliminary hearing could be set.

Hall also announced Bates’ bail had been increased to $6,000 from $4,000.

Bates’ attorney, Scott Adams, said he expects a preliminary hearing will be held in May. Such a hearing requires prosecutors to present evidence to a judge who then decides if a case will go to trial.

After Tuesday’s hearing, Bates left the courtroom and made his way onto an elevator, not responding when asked if he had any comment. Bates said recently on his Web site that he’s been falsely charged.

Adams maintains his client is the victim of a conspiracy between police and prosecutors. Bates was charged Feb. 23.

“It’s an absolute miscarriage of justice,” Adams said. “Brian’s never done anything wrong. He’s furious.”

The attorney expects the case will end up at trial and that his client will not accept a plea deal.

Oklahoma County district attorney’s spokeswoman Debbie Forshee said the charges against Bates are warranted.

“We are pleased to let a jury decide whether he is guilty or innocent,” Forshee said. “We would never have filed charges if we hadn’t felt there was reason to do so.”

Bates was arrested Feb. 8. Prosecutors allege he paid a prostitute so that she would have sex with her customers in pre-determined locations.

Bates told the prostitute he would pay her more for graphic sexual footage, and that he was going to use the footage for television appearances he planned to make, according to court records.

Bates has been filming acts of prostitution in Oklahoma City since 1996, according to his Web site. "

[Rev. Bob]

Serves the guy right. Anyone who would film prostitutes for fun has to be sick in the head.

[mranderson]

He's been unliked in the OKC metro area for sometime. I'm not siding with the guy, but I think moving the trial to another location in the state might be a good idea.

He is no Tim MvVeigh or Terry Nichols, so I doubt his case gets moved.

Personally, I think the verdict is all on tape.

I will quote a famous televison commercial with my opinion on this. "Get a rope."

[OKLApi]

Insiders say that there is enough evidence to fry Bates like a fish. I can't wait to hear the audio tapes of Bates, in his own, can it be live or memorex voice, making plans to pay a prostitute for videotaping her. Sounds more like manufacturing pornography to me. Hey, isn't that a FEDERAL offense?

[Jay]

'Video Vigilante' faces more allegations



By Cordell Jordan
NEWS 9

The following is a script from a NEWS 9 broadcast

Police are once again investigating the so-called 'Video Vigilante.'

Brian Bates is already charged with pandering for alledgedly paying prostitutes to have sex where he can videotape them.

Now, Bates is accused of intimidating a witness in the case against him.

The allegations involve a woman who Bates accuses of trying to kill him. But she says he is trying to scare her out of testifying in court.

During his arraignment this week, Bates came face to face with the woman who initially filed a complaint against him.

Bailbondsman Carol Franklin filed a police report saying Bates not only saw her in court, he followed her home.

Franklin says she was able to lose Bates in traffic, but she hasn't been able to stop his alleged attacks being posted on Bates website.

Bates claims Franklin is trying to entice prostitutes and pimps to sue, injure or kill him. His Web site says Franklin was trying to talk the hookers into suing him and how easy it would be to hurt him.

Bates claims this all stems from him catching Franklin's husband engaging in sex acts with a prostitute. He says Franklin is in denial and is taking it out on him. It will be up to investigators to decide.

Because she is a state's witness in the case against Bates, Franklin can't comment on camera about these allegations.

Police tell us the case will eventually be turned over to the district attorney for possible charges.

Bates is set to go back to court on April 28 for a preliminary hearing.

[Patrick]

Brian Bates keeps digging a larger hole! For once, he needs to keep his mouth shut. Silence is golden. Let your lawyer do the work in court for you. If that doesn't work, hire another lawyer.

[PamK1]

WOW! I heard about this guy years ago and I'm a recent transplant to OKC. I didn't realize he was an Okie. While I wouldn't want whores working in my neighborhood, I don't know how I feel about a guy who apparently spends 24/7 taping them. Forgive my ignorance but does he give the tapes to the cops? How many times has someone assaulted him? I'm guessing he must be single and have alot of time on his hands. Was he pimping somebody or just got tired of stalking the whores and decided to partner up? Takes all kinds I guess!

[mranderson]

WOW! I heard about this guy years ago and I'm a recent transplant to OKC. I didn't realize he was an Okie. While I wouldn't want whores working in my neighborhood, I don't know how I feel about a guy who apparently spends 24/7 taping them. Forgive my ignorance but does he give the tapes to the cops? How many times has someone assaulted him? I'm guessing he must be single and have alot of time on his hands. Was he pimping somebody or just got tired of stalking the whores and decided to partner up? Takes all kinds I guess!

I really had a chuckle on this comment. I do understand why it was written.

No. Brian is married. At first, he gave his tapes away, but then after he started getting all the attention, which I feel is a disgrace to Oklahoma City, he started selling the videos. He then became quite unpleasent to be around. He owns a rival message board, which has since had a hearse parked in the message boards drive way.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of the "video vigilante."

And... Pamk1. Welcome to OKC Talk.

[Midtowner]

I really had a chuckle on this comment. I do understand why it was written.

No. Brian is married. At first, he gave his tapes away, but then after he started getting all the attention, which I feel is a disgrace to Oklahoma City, he started selling the videos. He then became quite unpleasent to be around. He owns a rival message board, which has since had a hearse parked in the message boards drive way.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of the "video vigilante."

And... Pamk1. Welcome to OKC Talk.

From what I understand, it wasn't a message board, it was an echo chamber.

amirite?