Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking is a type of human trafficking, which is referred to as a type of modern-day slavery. In many cases, sex trafficking involves the transportation of people in order to engage
them in unlawful sexual activity, such as prostitution. Both federal and Florida law include heavy fines and severe criminal penalties, including potential mandatory/minimum sentences of up to 25 years and maximum potential sentences of up to LIFE. Mr. Petruzzi has represented numerous individuals charged with, or under investigation for, sex trafficking offenses by both federal and state authorities. His experience and knowledge serve as an invaluable asset to his clients.

Federal sex trafficking offenses are investigated and prosecuted by various agencies, including the FBI, ICE, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Justice. Some common federal statutes criminalizing sex trafficking include:

18 USC Sec. 2421:

Any person can be charged with a criminal offense for knowingly transporting any individual in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any territory or possession of the United States, with the intent that such individual engages in prostitution or in any sexual activity, or for attempting to do so, and shall be fined under this title or be imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.

Florida sex trafficking offenses are investigated and prosecuted by various state and local law enforcement agencies. Some common Florida statutes criminalizing sex trafficking include:

796.045 Sex trafficking; penalties:

Any person who knowingly recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides or obtains by any means a person, knowing that force, fraud, or coercion will be used to cause that person to engage in prostitution, commits the offense of sex trafficking, a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.775.082, s.775.083 or s.775.084. A person commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.775.082, s.775.083 or s.775.084, if the offense of sex trafficking is committed against a person who is under the age of 14 or if such offense results in death.