Computer And Internet-Related Sex Crimes

Computer and internet-related sex crimes include the unlawful embedding of digital images depicting sexual conduct with the intent to deceive a person into viewing that conduct, the viewing of child pornography and enticing a child to engage in unlawful sexual activity over the internet, for example. 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 imprisonment sentences for life. Mr. Petruzzi has represented numerous individuals charged with, or under investigation
for, computer and internet-related sex offenses by both federal and state authorities. His experience and knowledge serve as an invaluable asset to his clients.

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

18 USC Sec. 2252C –

(a) In general: Whoever knowingly embeds words or digital images into the source code of a website with the intent to deceive a person into viewing material constituting obscenity shall be fined under this title and imprisoned for not more than 10 years.
(b) Minors: Whoever knowingly embeds words or digital images into the source code of a website with the intent to deceive a minor into viewing material harmful to minors on the internet shall be fined under this title and imprisoned for not more than 20 years.

Florida computer and internet-related sex offenses are investigated and prosecuted by various state and local law enforcement agencies. Some common Florida statutes criminalizing computer and internet-related sex activities include:

847.0135 Computer pornography; traveling to meet minor; penalties include:

(1) Short title – This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act.”

(2) Computer pornography – A person who:

(a) Knowingly compiles, enters into or transmits by use of computer

(b) Makes, prints, publishes or reproduces by other computerized means

(c) Knowingly causes or allows to be entered into or transmitted by the use of computer

(d) Buys, sells, receives, exchanges or disseminates, any notice, statement or advertisement of any minor’s name, telephone number, place of residence, physical characteristics, or other descriptive or identifying information for purposes of facilitating, encouraging, offering, or soliciting sexual conduct of or with any minor, or the visual depiction of such conduct, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. The fact that an undercover operative or law enforcement officer was involved in the detection and investigation of an offense under this section shall not constitute a defense to a prosecution under this section.

(3) Certain uses of computer services or devices prohibited

Any person who knowingly uses a computer online service, internet service, local bulletin board service or any other device capable of electronic data storage or transmission to:

(a) Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, a child or another person believed by the person to be a child, to commit any illegal act described in chapter 794, chapter 800, or chapter 827, or to otherwise engage in any unlawful sexual conduct with a child or with another person believed by the person to be a child; or

(b) Solicit, lure, or entice, or attempt to solicit, lure, or entice a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of a child or a person believed to be a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of a child to consent to the participation of such child in any act described in chapter 794, chapter 800, or chapter 827, or to otherwise engage in any sexual conduct, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s.775.084. Any person who, in violating this subsection, misrepresents his or her age, commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Each separate use of a computer online service, internet service, local bulletin board service, or any other device capable of electronic data storage or transmission wherein an offense described in this section is committed may be charged as a separate offense.