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They claim to put their lives at risk to save children, but it can be risky, law enforcement warns

Law enforcement say they're concerned with private citizens taking matters into their own hands instead of contacting authorities.

LAMAR COUNTY, Ga. — They walk into dangerous situations where their lives could be at risk at any moment.

While law enforcement discourages private citizens from taking measures into their own hands, some people say they're fighting for the greater good.

A man from an online watchdog, OPHIS, confronted an accused child sexual predator at a Walmart in Griffin, Georgia, armed only with a cellphone recording their interaction. John Savior, who posted the video to YouTube, said he posed as a 14-year-old in order to lure the accused predator into meeting him.

The suspect, 35-year-old James Crews, walked away that night, but ended up being arrested by authorities later. He's being held in the Lamar County jail, charged with enticing a child.

PREVIOUS: Video of confrontation with accused sexual predator in Walmart goes viral, lands Lamar County man in jail

Savior pressed Crews during the exchange - asking the 35-year-old if he thought it was OK to arrange to meet a 14-year-old. The confrontation becomes heated at one point, with Savior screaming at Crews, "You stay away from me!"

Thankfully, no one was hurt. But the situation could have taken a dangerous turn.

Savior told 11Alive he wasn't afraid, he was there to save children. But one child advocate says that's too risky.

"I never go into a situation without letting one of my contacts in law enforcement know I'm in the area. So, they're fully aware I'm in the area and this is what's going on," said Sarah Koeppen, the Executive Director of The Hope Box, a non-profit that works with sex trafficking victims.

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Koeppen says she's gone into treacherous situations countless times in her work. While she contacts law enforcement before she goes, the Lamar County Sheriff's Office says that wasn't the case in the Crews confrontation.

One investigator described the work of the watchdog as doing things "the wrong way, but for the right reasons."

Law enforcement encourages anyone who sees a crime to contact them immediately. 

Like Savior, Koeppen says she's never feared for her life, despite her sometimes dangerous work. She's there for a higher purpose.

"It has to be a job where you're willing to say, you're willing to give your life up for," Koeppen said.

The Lamar County Sheriff's Office says they're treating the now viral video of the Crews confrontation as they would an anonymous tip - they received information about a suspicious crime and they opened an investigation.

Crews, meanwhile, is expected to face more charges.

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