So it is lawful to have sex with a 16 year old, but production of pornography if you were to take her picture. If she (or he) sent you a selfie, both could be charged; her for production and distribution, and you for receipt and possession. No doubt, the minor would not be prosecuted in exchange for her cooperation in your case.

There are many traps set for the unwary.

Hmm…double standard…Constitutional Violation of Equal Protection…..

Capricious and Arbitrary!

Most of these post accurately and justly defend Shrader or argue the inconsistencies in the statues. I agree. However, CherokeeJack, brings a point that all of us should take note. CJ said, “I stay off those sites.”

I hear some saying, “But what’s wrong with this as long as both are of legal age.”

Yes, it’s not fair, but I know that as long as I am a registered citizen, I must remember: If it looks like a duck…. I will not take any chances. I understand that I may be permitted to engage in any activities (Like the Circus or Fair), “Just like anyone else.” It may not be prudent.

My best friend use to get angry when I told him that I couldn’t attend his granddaughter’s birthday party. My friend accepted that I was on the registry and that I am cautious to avoid the quacking ducks.

Sometimes all these exceptions put me in a funk. It’s not fair and it INFECTS my loved ones. However, I have to except that while I am on this illegal and dangerous Registry, I CAN’T DO WHAT EVERYONE ELSE CAN DO.”

They are considered entrapment. However there is an almost unattainably high bar for it to become unlawfully so, at least in Florida.

There are also 2 paths to pursue regarding entrapment (in Florida). Subjective, and Objective. Subjective is the unreachable bar. Objective… get ahold of the arrest reports of anyone that has been arrested for the crimes of soliciting online and/or traveling in the county you were arrested in. You will more than likely see a dramatically higher number of arrests as the result of stings. Make sure you go over those reports with your counsel to find duplicates or arrests unrelated to your search. You will also note that most, if not all of the sting arrests will be the same set of charges as well.

*This is for anyone in need of advice from someone who isn’t a lawyer 🙂

The article makes it very clear that the age of what the sting cop gave was the age of consent. They’re making it illegal because it was online vs a random in person meeting like walking on a beach and seeing someone you find attractive and go talk to. How can they make something illegal just because it’s online when online is the way of the world today? This has got to stop. We are literally having our sex lives DICTATED to us. Is this the United States or Cuba? Enough already!

But that actually where I was going with what I was saying. And none of it makes sense. We have both gay “bois” and women and transgenders on YouTube literally admitting that they go for “sugar daddies”. I hope I don’t need to describe what a sugar daddy is so if we live in a society that is aware of men being sugar daddied by some people and many condone it (comments on YouTube videos saying “I need to find a sugar daddy, too) then we are not making ANY sense in our sex laws. Personally, being an independent in my political views, I don’t think it’s anyone’s business what people do with each other sexually so long as it is consensual and both parties are of consenting age.
There is a popular gay YouTuber named James Charles who admits to having been on Grindr when he was 16 and claiming to be 18 to get guys on dates to spend their money AND have sex. LE would see him as a “victim”, yet he’s a “victim” knowing full well what he was doing. He’s in his early 20’s now. But, if LE and the legislature doesn’t MAKE someone a victim, it means they have no way of sending people to prison and to the SOR as away to get that Federal $$$.

And more common than not, a REAl underage person looking for sex online is going to lie and say they are 18 and stick with that as they would get their profile taken down if they admitted that. So someone bragging about being 15 #1 is a red flag and #2 IF I was on a site I would block them.
I stay off those sites. If I want a date I try and meet someone to spend time with at church. However I am a crotchety old fart that lives with his parents so until I get off the registry, I am not dating anyone. One divorce was enough for me.

Raymond
as former law enforcement, if you were to go online and tell a friend you were on the way to the bank to rob it. Then arrived and changed your mind and stood there thinking about it. Then went inside to make a deposit instead, as soon as you pass through the banks doors they would slam you to the ground, even though you did not go through with it. AND you would be charged with conspiracy to rob a bank.
However, when you get arrested with a fake underaged / of age cop, they do not arrest you for conspiracy to have sex with a minor, they arrest you for solicitation. Even if you put up and ad stating you were looking for sex with a minor, they could come arrest you even if you never met anyone.
I looked 16 when I was in law enforcement and they use to try and get me to be a decoy in stings and I wanted nothing to do with it.

That’s very true. If it’s an adult site, you should be able to argue that, regardless of what the person on the other end says, you were under the assumption that they were 18+ because that person must’ve consented to that when they signed up. I don’t like people trolling for minors, but I abhor the bullshit tactics that are used to draw people in. This isn’t the movie “Minority Report.” You actually have to commit a crime in order to be prosecuted for a crime. How can law enforcement say that you “would’ve” done it. They must all be prophets or something.