Federal Sex Crimes
Federal sex crimes are extremely serious offenses that carry severe penalties if convicted. Federal sex charges can include:
- Human trafficking
- Child exploitation
- Production, distribution and/or possession of child pornography
- Kidnapping for the purpose of committing a sex crime
- Soliciting a minor
While someone can be charged with solicitation of a minor and child pornography charges under South Carolina law, it is common for these charges to be pursued under federal statute by a federal investigator due to the complexity of the charges and/or the crime occurring across state lines.
Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
Whoever knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces anyone under the age of 18, to engage in prostitution or in any other illicit sexual conduct can be charged with criminal solicitation of a minor. Often times an arrest for criminal solicitation of a minor is tied to an online chatroom or messaging app. Sting operations have become common in which a federal agent pretends to be underage and begins a discussion of a sexual nature online with an adult.
Penalties:
Fines at the discretion of the court and/or up to 20 years in prison
Child Pornography Charges
Child Pornography charges are very serious and require an experienced attorney to defend. Being charged with this crime can ruin both your personal and professional reputation. If you have been accused of possessing or distributing child pornography, an experienced attorney is needed to guide you through the legal system and fight to protect your rights.
All computers have IP address that can be used to identify whether you have accessed child pornography from your computer.
Some of the most common child pornography charges include:
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Distribution of child pornography
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Production of child pornography
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Possession of child pornography
Penalties for Federal Sex Crime Charges:
Federal sentencing guidelines govern penalties on child pornography and differentiate between production, distribution, and purchasing/receiving. The guidelines also include variations in severity based on the age of the child involved in the materials, with significant increases in penalties when the offense involves a prepubescent child or a child under the age of 12. A conviction of child pornography can be up to life imprisonment based on the details of the charges.
Individuals who have been convicted at the state or federal level previously for a sex crime may face additional jail time for any subsequent sex-related offense. An individual convicted of a federal sex crime perpetrated against a minor after a previous conviction for the same offense could face life in prison. Given the extremely harsh penalties associated with federal sex offenses, anyone facing these charges should consult with a local lawyer as soon as possible.
Schedule a Confidential and FREE Federal Sex Crime Charges Consultation Today
Being caught with child pornography on your computer usually implies that you intentionally downloaded the pornography and purposefully viewed it. The defense attorneys at the Strom Law Firm will aggressively fight to defend your rights and provide you with the best defense for your Federal Sex Crime Charges. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today at 803.252.4800. We are located in Barrister Hall 6923 N. Trenholm Rd, Columbia SC 29206-1707
