Sex Trafficking of Children

The federal government takes extensive measures to prevent sex crimes against children. For example, they look for and prosecute parties who sex traffic children with the intention of using them to produce child pornography. A conviction for sex trafficking children comes with a lengthy prison sentence and permanent harm to a person’s reputation and rights. As such, it is vital for anyone charged with such crimes to contact an attorney as soon as possible. If you are accused of sex trafficking children, the dedicated Tampa child pornography defense lawyers of Hanlon Law can advise you of your potential defenses and assist you in formulating a plan designed to help you pursue the best legal outcome available under the circumstances. We frequently assist people charged with federal child pornography offenses and other crimes in Tampa and cities throughout Florida.

Although there are various laws against the making and dissemination of child pornography, 18 U.S. C. 2251A specifically prohibits the purchase or sale of children for the objective of generating pornography. Section 2251A(a) states that any guardian or parent who transfers, sells, or offers to transfer or sell custody of a child to another individual while knowing that the child will be compelled to either assist in or engage in sexual acts for the purpose of creating a photograph or video of the acts will be guilty of a crime. A parent can also be charged under 2251A(a) for selling or transferring custody of their child with the objective of encouraging the child to engage in or assist with sexual behavior for the purpose of filming or photographing the activity.

Section 2251A(b) dictates that it is illegal to buying a child for the purposes of creating child pornography. In other words, it prohibits parties from buying, offering to buy, or otherwise obtaining a child with the knowledge that the child will be photographed or filmed engaging in or assisting someone in sexually explicit behavior for the purpose of creating a visual image of the behavior. It is also unlawful for a person to buy a child with the intention of inducing them to engage in or aid someone engaging in sexual behavior for the purpose of producing a photograph or video of the conduct.

In order to obtain convict a person of a violation of 2251A, the government has to establish either that the child or the defendant traveled from one state to another or that the offer was communicated using means that affect interstate or foreign commerce, such as the mail or the internet, another that their conduct affected interstate or foreign commerce, or that the conduct occurred in any United States’ territory or possession. A conviction under section 2251A is punishable by a minimum of thirty years in prison, up to life in prison.

A conviction under section 2251A carries a minimum sentence of thirty years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The prosecution must show that the child or defendant traveled across state lines, that their conduct affected interstate or foreign commerce, or that the offer was communicated using means that affect interstate or foreign commerce, such as the mail or the internet, or that the conduct occurred in any United States territory or possession in order to obtain a conviction under section 2251.

If you are faced with accusations that you sex trafficked a child for the purpose of creating child pornography, it is essential that you speak to an attorney promptly. The knowledgeable Tampa criminal defense attorneys of Hanlon Law are adept at navigating the intricacies of federal sex crime cases, and if we represent you, we will fight to help you strive for a good result. We often defend people charged with federal sex crimes in cities throughout Florida, and we have an office in Tampa, and offices in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Bradenton as well. You can reach us by calling us at 813.228.7095 or by using our online form to set up a confidential and free conference.