Soliciting/Traveling To Meet A Minor For A Sexual Act Via A Computer

Have you or a loved one been charged with soliciting a minor for a sexual act via a computer or traveling to meet a minor via a computer for a sexual act?

The crimes of soliciting a minor for a sexual act via a computer or traveling to meet a minor for a sexual act computer via a computer is a felony under Florida state law. Predominately, these crimes are investigated and prosecuted by local authorities. Soliciting to meet a minor for a sexual act happens when an adult, via the internet and a computer, engages with a minor with the end goal of meeting up with that minor for some form of an illegal sexual act. The same goes for one who uses the same means and travels to meet a minor for the same end goal. The internet has resulted in massive amounts of access to minors via chat rooms, social media and websites of the alike.

State Law Regarding Soliciting

Under Florida state law, soliciting a minor for a sexual act via a computer is when one knowingly uses a computer online service, internet service, local bulletin board service, or any other device capable of electronic data storage or transmission to 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 sexual act, 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 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 a sexual act. Conviction of this offense is a felony of the third degree and is punishable by a fine not to exceed $5,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years. If the defendant wrongfully depicts their true age in the course of this crime, the violator has committed a felony of the second degree. Conviction of this offense is punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not to exceed 15 years.

Under Florida state law, traveling to meet a minor for a sexual act is when one travels any distance either within this state, to this state, or from this state by any means, who attempts to do so, or who causes another to do so or to attempt to do so for the purpose of engaging in any sexual illegal act, or to otherwise engage in other unlawful sexual conduct with a child or with another person believed by the person to be a child after using a computer online service, internet service, local bulletin board service, or any other device capable of electronic data storage or transmission to 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 engage in any illegal sexual act, or to otherwise engage in other unlawful sexual conduct with a child; or 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 sexual act. Conviction of this offense is a felony of the second degree and is punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not to exceed 15 years.

Conviction of these crimes under Florida state law would require one to register as a sex offender for LIFE. Failure to register is also a crime in itself and is punishable by imprisonment.

Contact The Firm For Help

Attorney Paul D. Petruzzi has years of experience defending those charged with sex offenses involving children. It is important for one to hire an experienced attorney when faced with this type of offense. Attorney Petruzzi’s knowledge and expertise in this field is a vital asset to anyone charged with this crime.