ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR
FEDERAL LAW ON ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR
Enticement of a minor is the federal offense where you persuade a person under the age of 18 to engage in prostitution or an illegal sex act.
You commit this offense if you:
- Use the mail or any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce, and
- Knowingly persuade, induce, entice, or coerce any person under the age of 18 to engage in prostitution or an illegal sex act
Note that “interstate commerce” is the general term for transacting or transportation of products, services, or money across state borders. Enticement can involve such means of interstate commerce as:
- The mail,
- Phones, and/or
- The internet.
PENALTIES FOR ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR
Enticement of a minor is a felony offense punishable by imprisonment in a federal prison for not less than 10 years or for life.
Depending on the facts of the case, offenders may also have to register as a sex offender.
DEFENSES TO ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR CHARGES
Fortunately, you can challenge an enticement of a minor charge with a legal defense. A common defense is for a defendant to show that the “victim” was 18 years age or over. You can also contest a charge by showing that law enforcement somehow violated your rights. Maybe, for example, the police:
- Arrested you without probable cause,
- Coerced a confession, or
- Conducted an unlawful search and seizure.
If the authorities somehow violated your rights, you could move to have your case dismissed or your charges dropped.