Hiding in Plain Sight: tales of an America Predator” tells the story of two victims and the demise of a mastermind pedophile that managed to con and victimize thousands of people around the world. The film is told through the victim’s eyes.

The first victim’s story, Allen, dates back to 1976. Allen was a 12-year-old boy starving for attention and love due to the difficulties suffered at home from a Mother who had recently taken up an addiction to prescription drugs.

The Predator posing as a middle grade teacher under the assumed name of Ed Alan Scott knew who to seek out in schoolroom of the small town of Stillwater , Minnesota . At the time, Allen was the smallest boy in the class and it was obvious he came from a family that “didn’t have much money” with his hand me down clothes.

Peter Ebel, Aka Ed Alan Scott knew to give Allen just enough attention and praise in order to capture his interest. He groomed Allen with gifts, plenty of attention, and eventually taught him to fly an airplane. “Things began to get crazy” when he diagnosed Allen with Scoliosis claiming he needed to take him to England to see a specialist. Soon, Peter Ebel gained the trust of Allen and his parents, which eventually gave him the access needed to do whatever he wanted with him.

In 1990, Peter Ebel started a flight school for 12-year-old boys in Connecticut . The Parents of another one of Ebel’s victims, Jay, enrolled him in the school thinking it would be “a good thing for him.” Just two weeks earlier his older brother had died in a car accident.

Peter Ebel made Jay and a number of other 12-year-old boys very popular within their community when he gave them star like status by putting them in newspapers articles and on television shows.

Soon Enough, Jay trusted Peter Ebel “more than his own parents” and eventually that led to sexual abuse.

Both Allen and Jay explain the sobering damage caused by the abuse. The psychological depths of the sexual abuse go beyond ones imagination. They both give a similar account of the suffering edured, which led to depression and substance addictions.

In 2001, Peter Ebel was captured at the Los Angeles Airport with child pornography. At last there was a miniscule justice when he received a 10-year sentence in 2002. In the end at least one of his victims found peace when he was given permission to face Peter Ebel in court and tell him what he did to him. That was Allen and he is my brother.

Offical Selection California Independent Film Festival


Read Ruben Rosario's (St Paul Pioneer Press) Review HERE