LANSING, Michigan — Former Mason Planning Commission Chair Seth Waxman was sentenced to nearly 16 months in prison by an Indiana judge on Wednesday for two charges stemming from an arrest livestreamed by a “predator catcher” group.
Waxman was initially detained in May 2024, and the Predator Catchers Inc. Indianapolis livestreamed his arrest at a Walmart in Bluffton, Indiana. The video shows members of the group confronting Waxman before he is detained by a local deputy and Bluffton Police Department officers. The group is also seen telling police that they have records of online conversations with Waxman and handing the officers a red folder.
The same day he was arrested, he submitted his resignation to Mason Mayor Russell Whipple, which became effective immediately. He posted a $5,000 bond in January 2025.
According to court documents obtained by 6 News, Waxman was initially charged with driving 165 miles from his Mason home to Bluffton to have sex with a 13-year-old girl named “Katie”—who was a decoy.
6 News has redacted the following probable cause affidavit, obtained in May 2024, to remove identifying information and particularly offensive language. It is available for reading below.
Waxman was charged with one felony count of soliciting a minor to engage in sexual intercourse, one felony count of possessing a legend drug (prescription drug), one count of attempting to disseminate harmful material to minors, and one misdemeanor count of possessing a controlled substance, according to Wells County court records.
He pleaded guilty to the charges of possessing a legend drug and attempting to disseminate material harmful to children. His remaining two charges were dismissed. On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 482 days in prison, or nearly 16 months, with credit for 241 days served.
