In dismissing the case against Joseph Roisman, 26, Judge Arthur Wick also criticized the tactics used by Dateline NBC’s “To Catch a Predator” and agents from the group, Perverted Justice, whom he suggested lacked credibility and engaged in entrapment.

“The axiom actions speak louder than words clearly does not apply in this case,” Wick said from the bench.

Roisman and his parents were ecstatic. The ex-Navy cook was kicked out of the military and spent about a year in jail after his 2006 arrest on a charge of attempting lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor.

“I’m ready to move on with my life,” he said outside the courtroom. “Hopefully the service will take me back.”

His mother, Deborah Roisman, said she and her pediatrician husband spent more than $100,000 defending their son. She vowed to sue NBC producers and called the sting a “huge waste” of tax money.

“They made my son’s life a living hell for five years,” she said.

A Dateline spokeswoman, Amy Lynn, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Wick’s ruling came as the prosecution rested following six days of trial testimony. Jurors were expected to be dismissed this afternoon.

Roisman’s attorney, Stephen Turer, argued his client’s online chats were innocuous and that he intended nothing other than “cuddling and watching movies” when he rode a bus 110 miles north to meet the girl in Petaluma.

Turer argued it was Perverted Justice officials who steered the conversation toward sex. Although Roisman was told the girl’s age, he was doubtful because of her mature-sounding voice and sophisticated talk, Turer said.

“This case is the poster child for the abuse in this program,” Turer said after the acquittal. “They took everything away from this kid just to make a TV show.”

Prosecutor Juliette Olson said there was enough evidence to bring the case to trial. Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook called it “unfortunate” the judge denied jurors a chance to review and consider it.

“We believe there was sufficient evidence for a jury to make a determination,” Cook said.

Roisman was among 29 men arrested in a three-day sex sting in Petaluma in August 2006.

Volunteers from the group Perverted Justice engaged the men in Internet chat rooms and lured them to a house where they expected to have sex with a 13 year old girl.

Instead, they were met by Dateline host Chris Hansen and cameras and later arrested by police.

Convictions were obtained on 27 defendants. Sentences ranged from probation to nine months in jail.

Source: The Press Democrat