Great input Dwntwnslim!!!
You asked:
"Will the word Sockpuppet be a term we will hear a lot in relation to the Long Island perp?"
IMHO absolutely Yes!
I belive that the LISK is very active on the internet, and that he do participate on different LISK forums, also as a Sockpuppet.
If I was LE I would investigate posters (who post on different LISK forums), whos IP addresses come from public computers, like internet cafees, librarys etc. and/OR a Proxy server*, because almost all people who is very active on thise kinds of forums have their own computer, so if a poster use public computers there is IMHO a good chance that they post from public computers in order to avoid beeing detected. Also proxy Server users, use that in order to avoid beeing detected.
Of course posters who is NOT the LISK might use this services/tactics as well, BUT I belive the LISK is one of them.
Personaly I belive that the LISK post both as himself ("hide in plain sight") using his true IP address, but also as a Sockpuppet using either public computers and/or proxy Server.
LISK searche out his victims on the interenet, and he called victims family members, that tells me that he is active on the internet and the phonecalls tell me that he is a risk taker, that he get a thrill out of taking risks, like to be "close to the edge", and "hiding in plain sight" would IMHO fit this psychological makeup of his.
* Proxy Server
http://whatismyipaddress.com/hide-ip
I do all of my sleuthing and posting behind multiple encrypted proxies, and I would highly recommend it to anyone that researches the LISK or posts here on this forum. This doesn't mean I should be considered suspect. It means that I'm cautious. I don't want to get sued for libel or slander if I accidentally say something about someone who takes offense. I also have no interest in having a serial killer knock on my door.
I highly doubt that the SK has a great deal of technical sophistication. In 2007, when the SK first struck, Craigslist was like the #1 most popular website on the net. Even if the perp had accessed Craigslist from a home computer and police were able to recover the server logs, just think about the number of IP addresses that would have viewed the advertisement of an individual NY escort. It's probably in the low thousands. Now try and trace down say 1,000-3,000 individual users through warrants with each individual ISP. OK, so let's say you've actually done that (unlikely). Now splash that list against criminal database records to see if you've got anyone with any priors. It's going to be a decent percentage, many with sexual related offenses.
Also note that these days, you can go to a CVS and get an Internet capable throwaway phone and access Craigslist all day long. I looked into this angle recently and found that in 2007, the Tracfone, which is a popular pre-pay phone, didn't really have a great Internet browser and you couldn't really get to non-Tracfone related websites like Craigslist until sometime in late 2008. All you could do really in 2007 was download ringtones and stuff, but that was about it.
I think in 2009 and 2010, when the SK killed at least 3/4 of the GB4, they were probably using a Tracfone or similar type of Internet capable pre-pay phone. If I'm right about this, then it would tell me that the SK is actually at the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder since they aren't overpaying Verizon and paying for a nice iPhone. It would also tell me that they aren't very tech savy, otherwise they'd probably have a decent job and the money to afford a regular phone. Furthermore, it might suggest that they don't even have Internet access and a computer at home.
So all the perp would need is a pre-pay phone. These phones have a huge market share, and they are very popular as an alternative to having some bloated contract with a carrier. From there, you could walk into any hotel or Internet cafe and hop on Craigslist. Jot down the number for an escort and that's all that's required.
The key here is that they are likely using a pre-pay phone, which may inform us about their socioeconomic status, and likely their IT capabilities and educational experience.
However, their general knowledge of police technical surveillance capabilities is pretty decent. He at least knows to call from crowded places. He at least knows to stay on the line for 3 minutes or less. Some have argued that this means that they have law enforcement experience. I've suggested that someone who's been arrested and charged with making anonymous, lewd and threatening phone calls from payphones throughout the city, including Manhattan, would have the necessary experience and knowledge of police tactics to get away with making these calls. We know that Carman Monaco Jr. made such calls. We know that he's got experience with law enforcement, including the electronics squad, having been arrested for stalking News 12 Long Island employees. Here's what they said about Monaco in 2004:
"We are particularly grateful to the Second Squad detectives as well as the electronics squad and the bureau of special operations," said company spokeswoman Deborah Koller-Feeney."
When you're being charged in criminal court, like Carman in 2004 and 2005, as part of the discovery process your lawyer will get access to all of the police records and attempt to build a defense based on errors in process, etc. You would also have an opportunity to depose police, ask questions, etc. Carman would have had direct access to electronics squad documents, communications, even technical manuals and training processes. He would have heard from the horses mouth the timing and process and procedures for tracing phone communications. If we can get the court transcripts and court files, I can prove it to you.
I'll also note that Carman worked as a delivery driver for dollar stores in 2004. During my research into pre-pay phones, I found that dollar stores are a huge distributor for Tracfones and other pre-pay cell phones.
