The Confrontation

A/N: I do not own Chris Hansen. "To Catch A Predator" and Dateline NBC is property of NBC Universal.


"So what's happening?" asked Chris Hansen, shaking the hand of the teacher.

Nigel shook the interviewer's hand back, then asked: "What are you doing here? Who is this guy filming me?" pointing to the cameraman behind him.

"I need to talk to you about some things." replied Hansen. "Do you know that you were caught online having an explicit conversation with a boy who told you he was 13?" asked Hansen.

"Sir, I don't like where this is going, and I want you to leave my classroom. What I say in my own house is a matter of free speech and none of your business." replied Ratburn defensively.

"It's one thing to express free speech, but it's another thing to have an inappropriate chat with a boy who is 13 years old." countered Hansen. "No, sir-I need you to sit down. I have some more questions to ask you." Nigel felt like it was a waste of time, but remained seated anyway, because he didn't know if the man was law enforcement, a TV reporter, or the boy's father.

"Nigel, this is very serious stuff we're talking about. Do you know that what you did violates Pennsylvania law and you could get in serious trouble?" Hansen continued.

Upon hearing those words, the 40 year old teacher was stunned, as if he was struck by lightning. He hung his head in shame, sweating rather profusely. Hansen showed Ratburn the explicit parts of his chat and proceeded to ask about the more graphic parts of the chat.

"What do you think should happen to you?" asked Hansen incredulously.

"I should go to some sort of sex rehab or something. I'm not a pervert, I swear to God."

"Rehab?"

"Yes. I've been dealing with a lot of stress in my life, with teaching and stuff, and learning lesson plans."

"I understand, but that's no excuse to have a sexual chat with a thirteen year old boy, is it?" asked Hansen. The teacher doesn't reply.

"You know this isn't a good look, right?" asked Hansen, preparing to wrap up the interview.

"I gave into some really lustful urges that I had, and I feel really remorseful for my actions. I really love my job, and I love my students. I don't want to lose my job over this. I will do whatever it takes, if it means that I have to be monitored for a period of time." said Ratburn.

"Do you watch TV, Nigel?" Hansen inquired curiously.

"No. Not at all," Ratburn replied. "There's so much stupid programs on it these days I just barely watch the thing. Is this going to be recorded? Who are you?"

"My name's Chris Hansen and I'm a reporter with Dateline NBC, and we're doing a story on adults who try to meet young kids on the internet. Now if there's anything you want to say, we'd love to hear it, otherwise, you're free to leave."

Nigel starts to cry a little bit, but, next, he reacts like an animal that is backed into a corner would properly react. "Please turn the cameras off. I don't want my face on television." replied Ratburn.

"No final decisions have been made. You're free to walk out the door." said Hansen.

"You can't do this to people. You can't barge into my classroom and shove a camera in my face. If you air this on TV, I'll sue." Ratburn replied angrily.

For a man who said he was innocent, he sure acted defensively. Nevertheless, the man shielded his face from the camera and proceed to walk out the door. Nigel was initially relieved that what he thought was a silly facade was over and that he could go home and get to work on grading the tests from earlier in the day, but the moment he stepped outside, he was greeted by two plain-clothes police officers.

"Drop your belongings and put your hands behind your back." said one of the officers. He felt the silver cuffs snap around his wrists, then after being frisked, he was led by the arm by one of the police officers to an unmarked police car. While walking to the car, the police officer read him his Miranda rights.

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law..." read the officer from the Miranda card. Once his rights were read, Ratburn was seated in the car and driven to the police station.

To be continued...