Another 20-Days, Another Half Million Views on YouTube

6/13/07 -- OKC, OK - JohnTV.com has had another astounding couple of weeks on YouTube. In the last 20 days our videos have been viewed by just over half a million individuals (555,699 to be exact).

JohnTV.com began publishing videos by Brian Bates, Oklahoma's own Video Vigilante, in October of 2006. As of today, we have 51 videos posted on YouTube.com.

Bates' videos expose the graphic realities of street prostitution and its negative impact on Oklahoma City.

You can see a category listing of all the videos here.

JohnTV.com Update: Video Views Soar!

5/24/07 -- OKC, OK - On the 6th of this month we reported that in only 6 months, JohnTV.com's videos on YouTube had been viewed by just over 1-million individuals. As good as that news is, the last 18 days have proved to be even more exciting. As of this morning, YouTube.com reports our views at 1,566,332. That is over half a million views in only 18 days! Additional Resources:

1. JohnTV.com's YouTube account.
2. Directory of videos on YouTube by category.
3. Previous article (5/6/07)

Video Vigilante Videos Top 1-Million Views in Only 6 Months

5/6/07 -- OKC, OK - In just over 6-months time, over 1-million people have viewed videos shot by Brian Bates, aka the Video Vigilante and founder of JohnTV.com.

In October of 2006, JohnTV.com began publishing videos on the popular Internet video sharing Web site YouTube under the username VideoVigilanteOKC.

As of this morning, YouTube calculates that Bates' videos have been viewed just over 1-million times.

Bates currently has 43 videos on YouTube and adds videos on a regular basis.

According to YouTube, the most viewed top 5 videos by Bates are;

1. Man Picks Up Hooker and Has Sex in Public Park (120,000+ views).
2. Man Has Sex with Street Hooker Behind Church (108,000+ views).
3. Biker has sex with hooker next to building (107,000+ views).
4. Hooker and 'John' Busted in Store Parking Lot (100,000+ views).
5. Prostitute Near School Bus Stop (82,000+ views).

Bates lists his 5 'must see' videos so far as;

1. Prostitution in Oklahoma City - Robinson Minute 03/2007 (9,000+ views).
2. Segment from Video Vigilantes Special (470+ views).
3. Hypocrisy of Oklahoma City Vice - Caught in a Lie! (31,000+ views).
4. Interview with Yvonne; Oklahoma Street Prostitute (30,000+ views).
5. Interview with "Fire," a Street Prostitute (16,000+ views).

Bates says it is no surprise that his list of his favorite videos is different than what most of his viewers are watching.

"Unfortunately, the videos of people actually getting caught having sex with a street prostitute are far more popular that the one's that deliver an obvious message about the plight of prostitutes and neighborhoods held hostage by their presence," said Bates.

Bates says it is that very reason that he shoots his graphic videos and publishes them online.

"I can tell people there are hookers working our street corners, having sex in our parks and grocery store parking lots. I can explain that they discard their used condoms and drug needles for our children to find. And, I can try and convince them that the pimps, hookers and their 'Johns' pose a real danger to families and businesses. But, when I show them the videos, they see it for themselves and they can no longer deny its presence," said Bates.

Bates says that if people come to his Web site to see the 'graphic videos' he is okay with that. "My goal is to initiate dialogue on the subject of prostitution. Hopefully through that dialogue solutions will be realized. Whatever a person's reason for visiting my site, it is not as important to me as what they leave with. I know that you cannot leave without being exposed to the graphic realities of prostitution that must be addressed and dealt with," said Bates.

Bates' videos have gained him and his activism notoriety since he first picked up his video camera in 1996.

Bates says that while some may question his motives in filming acts of street prostitution he says it is all worth it.

"Prostitution has been in our society from the beginning. In that time there have been literally thousands of outspoken anti-prostitution activists. While the names of madams such as Heidi Fleiss and Deborah Jeane Palfrey (DC Madam) may be household names, I defy most Americans to name a single anti-prostitution activist," said Bates.

Bates says he is using his camera to shed light on the myths of prostitution and show it for what it really is. "Reality television doesn't get any more real than what I see with my own eyes and lens," said Bates.

While Bates and his crusade against street prostitution may not have made him as recognizable a name as those who would have you believe prostitution is simply a misunderstood profession, Bates' efforts have gained worldwide attention.

Bates argues that since he picked up his camera, over 10-years ago, there has not been another individual who has been featured more by the media for video vigilantism and anti-street prostitution efforts.

Video Vigilante Aids in Arrest of Fugitive

3/21/07 -- OKC, OK - Local video activist aids in arrest of a wanted fugitive with a felony record this afternoon and it is all caught on camera. At about 3:20p.m. Brian Bates, aka the Video Vigilante and founder of JohnTV.com, witnessed a man on South Robinson Ave. that he knew to have outstanding warrants. Bates, along with another man, called the Oklahoma City Marshals office to report the fugitive's location. The man, Alphonzo Fields, 42, a convicted felon, has long been rumored to buy and sell drugs in the Capitol Hill area. Bates says that on at least two occasions Fields has threatened Bates's life. Bates followed Fields until a City Marshal was able to pull him over and place Fields under arrest. Fields was booked into the Oklahoma County jail for outstanding warrants on assault and battery, traffic tickets and failure to appear. Fields's criminal history includes; 1998 conviction for public drunk. 2002 failure to appear (open case with warrant). 2002 disregarding a traffic signal (open case with warrant). 1996 charged with assault. 1996 conviction for destroying property. 2002 conviction for DUI, speeding, and misc. traffic violations. 2002 conviction for DUI and misc. traffic violations. 1999 conviction for domestic abuse. 1997 conviction for robbery in the 1st degree after felony conviction. 1997 conviction for carrying a firearm while drunk. Click here to see Fields's DOC record.

Click here to see the video.

Video Vigilante Makes Second Arrest of 2007

Video Vigilante Makes Second Arrest of 2007 Video of arrest honored on YouTube 3/19/07 (Updated 3/21/07) -- OKC, OK - Brian Bates, aka the Video Vigilante and founder of JohnTV.com and the SidebarBlog, arrests alleged street prostitute after she flashes passing motorists. Woman's arrest leads to additional charges for drugs. This afternoon Bates was documenting street prostitution activities near SW 43rd and South Robinson Ave. when the arrest was made. As seen in the video captured by Bates, the female street prostitute, Krystal R. Cleghorn, 23, was soliciting on S. Robinson and directing her customers, also known as 'Johns,' to a vacant house near SW 38th. There she would perform oral sex on the male drivers. Cleghorn was also observed speaking with several young children in the area. Fearing Cleghorn would leave before Bates could capture her prostitution on tape he called 911 after witnessing her flashing passing motorists. Bates says street prostitutes often flash customers to prove they are not police. Two Oklahoma City police officers arrived quickly to the scene and detained Cleghorn. While searching the Cleghorn's belongings, the officer found what he described as two glass meth. pipes. After reviewing the tape, police allowed Bates to place Cleghorn under citizens arrest for engaging in an act of public lewdness. Cleghorn was then transported to the Oklahoma County jail. While Cleghorn herself was being searched at the jail, a detention officer "found a small plastic baggie...that contained a clear, crystal like substance." The substance was tested and determined to be methamphetamine. According to the Oklahoma County jail blotter, Cleghorn was booked into jail for public indecency, possession of CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia and drug paraphernalia violation. All of which occurred within 1,000' of a church. Cleghorn is being held on a $3,500 bond. Court records show that Cleghorn is currently serving a one-year suspended sentence for a 2007 conviction of obstructing a police officer. Cleghorn's suspended sentence could be revoked as a result of this arrest. Public records show the following arrests/charges for Cleghorn in the past; Truckstop prostitution 2004 Canadian County. Obstruction 2006 Oklahoma County. Numerous trespassing tickets at area truckstops. Possession of marijuana 2006 OKC. Possession of marijuana 2005 OKC. Possession of marijuana 2005 OKC. Drug paraphernalia 2006 OKC. Drug paraphernalia 2005 OKC. Drug paraphernalia 2005 OKC. Drug Paraphernailia 2007 OKC Case is active. Jail stay recovery 2007 OKC Case is active. No state driver's license 2007 OKC Case is active. The video of Cleghorn's actions and arrest is posted on YouTube.com. On 3/21/07 the video was honored on YouTube as the 48th 'Top Favorite' video in the News and Politics section for that day. *Note: You can watch a recent overview of street prostitution in OKC here. All JohnTV.com YouTube videos can be found here.