How Target Knows You’re Pregnant (And How the Police Know You’re Guilty)

By: John Guidry

I was going to title this article “How Target Knows You’re Pregnant Before You Do,” but my mom mentioned that my titles never match what the heck I’m talking about. This article is a rare exception. (Thanks, Momma).

The Predictive Power of Computers: Once computers have enough data, their ability to predict the future is fascinating—and terrifying.

• The Target Example: Target figured out that if a woman buys cocoa-butter lotion, a large purse, and zinc supplements, there is an 87% chance she is pregnant.
• The Result: They started mailing coupons for diapers and cribs to high schoolers before their fathers even knew they were pregnant.
  • (See: “How Target Figured Out A Teen Girl Was Pregnant Before Her Father Did,” Forbes, 2012).

Much like Target, criminal defense attorneys send “Arrested? Hire Me” letters. But when the data gets too good, it stops being helpful and starts getting suspicious.

Is the government using your data to build a case against you?

Don’t let the algorithm convict you. Call John today at (407) 423-1117.

The Russian Slot Machine Cheat: Beating the “Random”

At times, people (and computers) strive to be unpredictable.

• The Myth: Slot machines are “random.”
• The Reality: They use Pseudorandom Number Generators. They look random to you, but they follow a mathematical pattern.

The Scam: In 2014, a crew of Russians realized that if they recorded just 24 spins on a slot machine, they could upload that data to a server in Russia.

• The Crunch: The server would analyze the “Pseudo-Random” pattern and tell the operative exactly when to press the button.
• The Win: They walked out with $250,000 a week without ever physically tampering with the machines.
  • (See: “Russians Engineer a Brilliant Slot Machine Cheat,” Wired, 2017).

The Lesson: If you have enough data, nothing is random. Not slot machines, and certainly not the legal system.

The Airport Bar: Ignoring the Data

Data is everywhere, but most folks just don’t want to use it.

• The Scene: I was at a bar in St. Louis Lambert International Airport (Gate E24). It was empty. The waitresses wanted to cut out early.
• The Boss: He refused, claiming he “didn’t know” if more flights were coming in.
• The Pro Bono Defense: I pointed out that the “DEPARTURE” monitors listed every incoming flight, the gate number, and the passenger count. The data was right there on the wall!

The boss ignored the data. He kept the staff there for no reason. The police, however, do NOT ignore data. They are like the Russians at the slot machine—recording every spin, looking for the pattern.

John’s 2026 Update: Predictive Policing & “Pre-Crime”

Note: In 2017, Target used data to sell diapers. In 2026, the police use data to manufacture Probable Cause.

1. “PredPol” and the Algorithm Just as Target predicts pregnancy, police departments now use Predictive Policing (PredPol) software.

• The 2026 Reality: The computer analyzes arrest records, 911 calls, and even social media chatter. It then tells the patrol sergeant: “There is an 87% chance of a drug deal at this intersection between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM.”
• The Defense: When they arrest you, we demand the Algorithm’s Source Code. We argue that you were profiled by a biased computer, not by an officer observing actual criminal behavior.

2. The “Pseudo-Random” Traffic Stop Remember the Russian slot machine cheat?

• The Trap: Police claim they pull people over “randomly” for TSA checks or license inspections.
• The Defense: We analyze the data. We often find their “random” selection is actually a Pseudorandom pattern targeting specific cars or demographics. Just like the Russians exposed the slot machine, we expose the bias in the “Random Number Generator.”

3. Data Broker Evidence The Airport Bar boss ignored public data. The State Attorney does not.

• The Threat: Prosecutors now buy data from Commercial Data Brokers. They know you bought “baggies and scales” on Amazon. They know your GPS visited a known drug house. They combine this (Target-style) to argue you are a trafficker, even if they never caught you selling.

Don’t Let Data Decide Your Fate

The government thinks they can predict your behavior. They think you are just a statistic in a spreadsheet. But you are a unique individual, and we will force them to prove their case with facts, not algorithms.

Call me at (407) 423-1117. Let’s beat the odds.

About John Guidry II

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.