KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A new court ruling could affect how police officers track down sexual predators online, KMBC’s Dan Weinbaum reported Tuesday.
 
A federal judge in Kansas City set aside a conviction of a man charged with enticing a minor for sex over the Internet. Attorney Jan Helder was arrested in a police sting. The supposed minor he is accused of enticing was actually an undercover officer.Tuesday, a jury convicted Helder. However, Chief Judge Dean Whipple set that aside, ruling that since a minor was not actually involved, he can’t be convicted. Prosecutors said they plan to appeal the judge’s ruling and will continue to try and prosecute online predators.The case will likely go before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.Platte County prosecutors told KMBC they are considering bringing state charges against Helder.