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(RNS) — Not all sexual predators hide.

Some are right there in plain sight, yukking it up , bragging , doing interviews , and even publishing books about their violent and degrading behavior toward women. And some — like comedian Russell Brand — are applauded, admired and rocketing into fame as a result of their brazenness.

Indeed, as The Guardian reports, Brand earned the title “shagger of the year” three times in a row from one British publication. He also published a memoir in which he described his predatory behavior and “told jokes about how he liked to watch women choking during oral sex.” All this simply advanced his celebrity status rather than impeding it.

The criminal investigation into Brand began three years ago, culminating in a two-month long trial that ended Nov.…