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Three Area Men Charged In Reality TV Bust Of Child Sex Predators

Three Hudson Valley men were among several adults arrested after reality TV show producers lured them to a Fairfield, Conn., residence to meet a minor for sex during production of a new version of "To Catch A Predator," police said.

Fairfield Police observe suspects on television monitors last week.

Fairfield Police observe suspects on television monitors last week.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Police
Michael Manzi of Harrison

Michael Manzi of Harrison

Photo Credit: Fairfield Police
Michael Gentile of Brewster

Michael Gentile of Brewster

Photo Credit: Fairfield Police
Vincent Ambrosio of Wappingers Falls

Vincent Ambrosio of Wappingers Falls

Photo Credit: Fairfield Police

The men engaged in sexually explicit conversations online with reality show staffers who were posing as minors, police said.

The staffers invited the men to a Fairfield residence between last Thursday and Sunday, luring them there on a pretense of meeting the minor.

Unbeknownst to them, the house was actually the set of “Hansen vs. Predator,” a Kickstarter-funded American reality television show featuring Chris Hansen of Stamford, who previously hosted “To Catch a Predator” on MSNBC and on "Dateline NBC."

The three area men charged are: Michael Manzi, 32, of Harrison; Michael G. Gentile, 64, of Brewster; and Vincent Milan Ambrosio, 19, of Wappingers Falls.

Manzi was charged with criminal attempt at risk of injury or impairing the morals of a minor.

Gentile was charged with enticing a minor, criminal attempt at second-degree sexual assault and criminal attempt at risk of injury or impairing the morals of a minor.

Ambrosio was charged with enticing a minor, criminal attempt at first-degree sexual assault and criminal attempt at risk of injury or impairing the morals of a minor.

Police said the show's producers contacted them before filming and gave them an option to participate.

In the interest of public safety, Fairfield police Lt. James Perez said detectives and officers tracked the suspects the entire time each was in Fairfield.

“We had eyes on them the whole time,” Perez said. “From the moment they got off the exit ramp to the moment they got to the house, we were on them.”

Officers did not enter the set, Perez said, but they arrested the suspects as they left the house.

Staff from “Hansen vs. Predator” pose as underage minors on Internet chat rooms and social media platforms, police said.

During the conversations, staff collect incriminating information. They arrange in-person meetings at a predetermined location outfitted with hidden cameras, microphones and law enforcement at the ready.

The location of last week’s bust was a Fairfield residence but the exact address was not released.

Police said the homeowner had made a private deal with the producers to host the show.

“As a result of our investigation, we were able to remove several dangerous individuals from the streets who were attempting to have contact with children,” Perez said.

Bond information was not available for any of the individuals, police said.

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