In July 2024, federal authorities announced the conviction of a New Jersey man on federal “sextortion” charges for enticing a minor online to take illicit pictures and threatening to distribute them unless the minor met him for sex. The defendant was charged with illicit sexual conduct with a minor, production and possession of child pornography, and coercion and enticement of a minor and likely faces a lengthy prison sentence. Sextortion involves threats to expose sensitive material, such as nude photos, unless the victim provides money or sex. The FBI has announced a steep increase in sextortion cases and investigations in New Jersey.

There are few criminal accusations more damaging than sex crimes involving a minor. Further, federal crimes are charged and prosecuted more vigorously and involve lengthy prison sentences. Because of the serious nature of these charges, anyone facing federal sex crime accusations must have experienced legal counsel. The Lento Law Firm is an experienced federal criminal defense firm, and we can guide defendants through this challenging process. Call the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or leave your details online , and we will contact you.

Federal Sex Crime Laws

Sex with a minor is a crime under NJ laws, but in some instances, it can be charged as a federal crime. Sex charges under federal law are quite serious, involving lengthy prison sentences and the requirement to register as a sex offender. Under Chapter 109A of Title 18 of the US Code, sex abuse can involve force, threats of force, or other illicit threats. 18 USC § 2243 prohibits traveling in order to have sex with a minor, whether to another state or another country. This same law makes it illegal to engage in illicit sex or to entice another person to travel to engage in illicit sex. The penalty for violations of these laws is up to 20 years in prison, and in some instances, federal aggravated sex crimes can lead to life imprisonment.

Federal Child Pornography Laws

Federal child pornography charges are even broader in scope than other sex abuse laws and can involve significant overreach in some instances. Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of a child involving sex or in a sexually suggestive manner. If a person knowingly has possession of this visual depiction, they can be charged. In this case, the defendant was accused of enticing a minor to take and provide illicit pictures and then threatening to expose those photographs. This led to federal charges for both the production and possession of child pornography. It's important to note that in other cases, minors can be charged for taking photographs of other minors or exchanging them with peers. There is the real potential for overreach by prosecutors when charging under these laws.

How the Lento Law Firm Can Help

If you are facing federal sex crime allegations, you need experienced counsel. It is easy to become overwhelmed by these allegations, but an experienced attorney can help guide you to the best possible outcome. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or leave your details online, and we will contact you.