Under Investigation for Child Enticement? What You Need to Know

Risks of internet-related sex crime accusations are increasing. The rise of smartphones and online communication apps has created new legal risks, especially when conversations happen on platforms where age isn't always clear. Individuals may find themselves accused of child enticement based on digital interactions that were misunderstood or misrepresented.

First things first: If you're being questioned about a crime, do not explain yourself or try to clear things up. Firmly ask for an attorney and remain silent until you have legal representation.

At the Lento Law Firm, we handle all types of criminal cases, including child enticement accusations. The Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team is your ally. These cases move fast, and law enforcement often builds their case before you even know you're a target. Prosecutors don't need a real child to file charges; belief alone can be enough. But the burden is on them to prove intent, knowledge, and every element of the offense. A strong legal defense can expose flaws in their case before it ever gets to trial. Contact us here or at 888.535.3686 for help.

Understanding Child Enticement/Luring in New Jersey

The New Jersey child luring statute defines luring as any attempt (1) to entice, lure, or persuade a child, or an individual believed to be a child, (2) to enter a motor vehicle, structure, isolated area, or other location (3) with the intent to commit a criminal act.

A child luring accusation is serious, but remember—an accusation is not the same as a conviction. Prosecutors must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. That means they must show, piece by piece, that the accused took clear, intentional steps to lure or engage a minor in unlawful activity, and that they believed that the individual was underage.

Even in digital cases, the law requires prosecutors to prove intent, knowledge, and age awareness—each of which can be challenged. Many enticement cases involve sting operations, mistaken identity, or conversations taken out of context.

How the Internet Fuels Child Luring Accusations

Smartphones and social media have increased the chances of being accused of child luring based on messages, photos, or interactions.

Here are some common scenarios:

• Attempting to contact or message a minor online using false identities or deceptive profiles (commonly known as catfishing).
• Sending or requesting photos or videos in conversations with someone believed to be underage.
• Using social media, apps, or gaming platforms to initiate contact with minors for inappropriate or unlawful purposes.
• Engaging in chats or video calls that prosecutors claim were aimed at grooming or enticing a child.
• Sharing explicit content in conversations where age is uncertain or allegedly misrepresented.
• Accessing or attempting to access private messages, photos, or accounts without permission.
• Impersonating someone else to encourage trust or manipulate the conversation with a minor.
• Using screen recordings, screenshots, or live-streams in ways that may violate privacy or be used as alleged evidence of intent.

In New Jersey, these acts are criminal offenses and can result in serious consequences such as prison time and sex offender registration.

Defending Against Child Luring Charges

A strong legal defense to alleged sex crimes often focuses on revealing the weaknesses in the prosecution's case, encouraging them to reconsider how—and if—they proceed. That includes:

• Entrapment – The law recognizes that law enforcement cannot manipulate or coerce individuals into committing crimes that they would not have otherwise committed. Here's an example: Officers rely on a sting operation where an undercover cop pretends to be a minor, but their transcripts show entrapment. We highlight how they initiated the conversation, steered it in a criminal direction, and ignored exculpatory evidence. The jury starts questioning whether this was a real crime or a manufactured one.
• Misleading or manipulated conversations – Chat logs, messages, or images may be incomplete, edited, or taken out of context, affecting their credibility. We bring in forensic analysts to track login locations, device fingerprints, and timestamps proving you weren't involved or at least creating reasonable doubt.
• Unclear age or false representation – If the alleged "minor" misrepresented their age or did not disclose it, it can undermine the claim that the defendant knew or should have known the person was underage.
• No actual intent to meet – There may be no evidence of an attempt to arrange a meeting or engage in face-to-face contact, weakening the prosecution's case for luring.
• No explicit sexual content – If the communication lacks overtly inappropriate or suggestive language, it may not meet the threshold required for a luring charge.
• Lack of corroborating evidence – If no physical evidence (such as photographs, videos, or recordings) exists to support the allegations, the case may rely solely on digital communication, which may involve spoofed accounts, hacked devices, or misattributed evidence.
• Violation of privacy or illegal searches – Evidence gathered from unauthorized surveillance, illegal searches, or without proper warrants could be challenged and excluded from the case.
• Weak Evidence – The prosecution points to a blurry screenshot as their key piece of evidence. We dig into the metadata, showing it may have been tampered with or misidentified.
• Murky Digital Trails – Law enforcement claims your IP address is linked to illegal activity, assuming that's enough. We demonstrate how multiple people can access the same network and how VPNs or spoofing tools make IP-based accusations unreliable. The so-called "digital fingerprint" suddenly isn't as unique as they thought.
• Overreach – Police seized devices without a warrant, hoping to find something incriminating later. We file a motion to suppress, arguing that an illegal search taints all evidence they collect. The judge agrees—key evidence is thrown out, gutting the case. Or they got a warrant based on lies or on facts that do not meet the legal requirements.
• Biased Narratives – The prosecution paints someone as a predator based on an online conversation taken out of context. We present the full chat logs, revealing that you repeatedly shut down inappropriate topics or were baited into responding. Suddenly, their “story” doesn't sound so airtight.
• Plea Bargaining – They offer a deal, but the sentence is still brutal. We spot gaps in the prosecution's case and use them to push for a lighter charge.

The prosecution expects you to give in, but we show them that their case isn't as straightforward as they think. Our legal team pushes back with aggressive motions, dismantles their evidence piece by piece, and forces them to prove every element. When we're through, they'll understand that their case was never as solid as they thought.

When Things Are Not What They Appear to Be

Here are some hypothetical examples of situations that are not child luring:

Eric, a 30-year-old looking to sell an old gaming console, posts an ad on a local classifieds app. A user messages him asking if he'll trade it for some concert tickets and offers to meet. The user's profile gives no age, and the messages stay focused on the trade. At the meet-up point, Eric is approached by police and arrested—officers claim the messages were part of a sting, and that the user was pretending to be a 13-year-old using the app to meet adults. Eric never asked about the person's age and had no indication it was anything other than a swap between adults.

Carlos, a 33-year-old rideshare driver, sees a teenager alone at a late hour near a gas station. The teen asks for a ride, saying they missed the bus and don't have a phone. Carlos hesitates but agrees, asking where they live. He drives the teen a few blocks, then gets stopped by police. Turns out, the teen was part of an undercover operation. Carlos is arrested for child luring. When the full story is revealed, charges are dropped.

Sometimes, it's all about context.

Accused of Child Luring? The Lento Law Firm Has Your Back

Accused of child luring? You need an experienced defense attorney on your side. These charges are serious, and the consequences can follow you for life. Even if the allegations are based on a misunderstanding or online sting, prosecutors will move quickly to build their case. Don't try to explain your side to the police—it can be used against you later.

The Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team knows how to challenge the evidence, expose weak points in the prosecution's case, and protect your rights at every step. The sooner you get legal counsel, the better your chances of a strong defense. We ensure that every client receives the best possible outcome in their case. Call us at 888.535.3686or fill out our confidential consultation form.