Last night, I received word from a member of our local county Sheriff's Department canine unit that during the course of a massive local search, a man named Stephen Watts, aka Steph (pronounced "Steff"), presented himself to the Sheriff's Department and coordinating agencies as a member of 1SRG: 1st Special Response Group, in an attempt to insinuate himself into law enforcement search efforts. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Watts then began blogging about his actions, including sensitive search information.
1SRG has never had a member, either past or present, by this name or any reasonable variation, nor have we ever received (and/or denied) an application by such a person.
1SRG launched an investigation last night, and det
ermined that Mr. Stephen, aka Steph, Watts is a freelance "investigative" reporter who frequently provides titillating and "newsworthy" information to on-air broadcasts such as Nancy Grace, Greta Von Susteren, CourTV (now HLN), and other entertainment providers.
We are sharing this information with you, as Mr. Watts appears to have repeatedly joined with Texas Equusearch in their efforts, and has made repeated attempts prior to his efforts here in San Diego to insinuate himself into search missions. He lied stating that he was with 1SRG, a known and reputable organization, in an effort to further his own efforts. We understand that he has done so before, and fear that he may do so again in the future.
>From information gleaned during our investigation, Mr. Watts arrived in San Diego, along with Tim Miller and Texas Equusearch, in the search for the McStay family. You can read the McStay relatives account of t
heir experience with Mr. Watts here: http://www.mcstayfamily.com/new/
While in San Diego with Texas Equusearch, Chelsea King disappeared - and Mr. Watts used that opportunity of being here locally to insert himself into a growing national news story.
After verifying our initial information with several agencies and individuals, 1SRG then notified both San Diego County Sheriff's Department and the California Emergency Management Agency (formerly CAL-OES, now Cal-EMA, and now charged with all statewide SAR responses), the local SAR coordinator, state SAR coordinator, and since this was an investigative effort that included federal agencies, contacts within the FBI. Based on discussion last night, this issue has been handled and considered resolved.
We also contacted Mr. Watts through his personal webpage, his Facebook page, through a phone number he presents on his website, and through email, in addition t
o our post here, last night, on the SAR-L lister. Mr. Watts has not returned our contacts, calls, or written requests.
As of today, close of business, formal "cease and desist" letters were sent to Mr. Watts, CourtTV/HLN, Nancy Grace, Greta Von Susteren, and those agencies who employ Mr. Watts for their "news" services instructing them that any attempt to use 1SRG's name, logo, reputation, or other team affiliation would be met with legal action, and that 1SRG would assist those responsible, reputable SAR teams who may find themselves in a similarly-misappropriated position.
This information is being provided to you in the attempt to stop Mr. Stephen "Steph" Watts from his efforts to breach law enforcement and search mission security in his efforts to seek confidential or legally protected information for his sensationalistic purposes, as well as to protect both 1SRG, and your team, from those said same efforts.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to correspond.
Respectfully,
Kimberly R. Kelly 1SRG: 1st Special Response Group www.1SRG.org
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