UNM alumnus Mark Kachelmeier was nominated for an award in the 2011 Heartland Emmy Competition for his “Catching Predators” series.
His weeklong series aired on KRDO News Channel 13 in Colorado Springs and profiled five convicted sex offenders. Thanks to viewer tips generated by the show, two of the five were brought into custody. The Daily Lobo talked to Kachelmeier about the show and his Emmy nomination.
Daily Lobo: Tell me about the program, “Catching Predators.”
Mark Kachelmeier: Basically, it was a week-long series where there were five sex offenders who were convicted and were supposed to be living in the Colorado Springs area. They were on the run from the law because they did not register.
So we went to their last known addresses and found out where they were living. They weren’t where they were supposed to be, so we went around and talked to police like, ‘Where are these guys supposed to be? What are they wanted for?’
Every day, we featured one of the sex offenders, and after the first time it aired, somebody called up and gave us a tip. So we captured one of the sex offenders who was living in an apartment with a single mom and had a kid, and she didn’t even know he was a sex offender.
It’s scary stuff. Another sex offender was caught a couple months later, and he was living in Buffalo. The rest of them are still on the run from the law.
DL: Whose idea was this?
MK: This was the idea of an investigative reporter, James Jarman. He was under a contract and couldn’t be on air, so until his contract was up at the other station, he was behind the scenes. That’s why he was the writer/producer, that’s why he had another reporter front this thing.
DL: What part did you play in the whole thing?
MK: I’m the person who shot it. I’m a photojournalist, so I’m the person who shot most of the video. Basically, I’m the person who’s responsible for shooting all the video, editing it, and also shooting all the live shots. So my name’s on the Emmy — if we win, that is — for photojournalist/editor.
DL: Can you tell me about your experience doing this piece? Did you enjoy the project?
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MK: It was an interesting project; I really liked the final piece. Some parts were kind of scary in a way because we had to go through some rough neighborhoods looking for these people, and if you’re working in television news, walking up to some door with the camera rolling, you knock on the door and you never know what to expect.
Someone could come out with a gun, your life could be in danger, so it was a great experience, but it was also kind of scary.
DL: Why do you think it was nominated? Out of all the submissions, what do you think sets this one apart?
MK: First of all, it was put together really well. I think it was kind of original, and I just think it was quality work. In fact, because of our story two sex offenders were caught. I think that plays a big role in it.
