Feds Continue Crack-Down on Child Sexual Exploitation Crimes

December 22, 2010

Federal investigators working with state and local law enforcement arrested nearly 900 people connected to child prostitution rings nationally during a recent three-day initiative known as "Operation Cross County." The arrests occurred in 40 cities in 30 different states. In Chicago, the operation led to the arrests of six pimps and 36 other adults charged with various sex crimes, including prostitution. Three underage escorts also were discovered during the Chicago operation. In Seattle, 24 child prostitutes were uncovered, the largest group of underage sex workers discovered during the three-day sting.

In 2009, a similar initiative in the Atlanta area resulted in 35 arrests, including of six suspected pimps, three johns and 26 prostitutes. Two child prostitutes also were recovered.

Operation Cross Country is part of a bigger project known as "Innocence Lost," a project that was started in 2003 by the US Justice Department. To date, Innocence Lost has resulted in criminal convictions against more than 600 offenders and the seizure of more than $3.1 million in assets.

Some of the federal charges that may be brought against those allegedly involved in child prostitution rings include sex trafficking of children (18 USC ?1591) and interstate transportation of minors for illegal sexual activity (18 USC ??2421-2423). Additionally, they may be charged with child pornography, especially if they used sexually explicit photographs of minors on the Internet to advertise sex services. In some cases, conspiracy and racketeering charges also may be brought.

The sentences for these crimes vary. For example, sex trafficking of children between the ages of 14 and 18 can be punished by a maximum 40 year federal prison sentence. However, if the child was younger than 14, then the maximum penalty is life in prison. Those who are charged with transporting a minor across state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity may be sentenced between five and 30 years upon conviction.

Georgia Charges for Child Prostitution Crimes

Child sex trafficking often involves both federal and state charges. Investigations into the crime usually begin locally. For example, local or state police may begin investigating a potential child prostitution ring based on Internet web sites or activity at local truck stops or casinos. Upon further investigation, law enforcement officers may discover that minors were brought across state lines, which then triggers potential federal criminal charges in addition to the state charges.

In Georgia, those who have been charged with child prostitution may face the following charges:
- Pimping (?16-6-11): offering to procure a prostitute, arranging a meeting for the purposes of prostitution, directing or transporting a person to a place for purposes of prostitution, receiving money or something else of value from a prostitute
- Keeping a place for prostitution (?16-6-10): knowingly granting or permitting use of a place you own or exercise control over for purposes of prostitution

While the punishment for these crimes under state law is a misdemeanor of high and aggravated nature, if the prostitute was a minor under the age of 18, the crime is a felony and is punishable by five to 20 years in a state prison and up to a $10,000 maximum fine. If the criminal acts occurred within 1000 feet of a school, church, playground or recreational center, the offender must pay an additional $2500 fine. The police also have the right to seize any money or other property bought by profits from the prostitution.

Additionally, Georgia prosecutors may bring charges for sexual exploitation of children under the state's Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007 (?16-12-100.2). The crime of sexual exploitation of children involves the use of computers and other electronic devices to share and distribute child pornography. The law also prohibits using computers to advertise child prostitution. Those convicted of violating this law may receive up to 20 years in a state prison and be required to pay up to a $10,000 fine.

Georgia law also punishes those who solicit sex acts from minors, whether online or from a pimp or prostitute. In general, Johns are charged with pandering, but if an underage child prostitute was involved, then they also may be charged with enticing a child for indecent purposes, sexual exploitation of children and other crimes.

Those convicted of a crime connected to child prostitution or sexual exploitation of a minor in Georgia will be required to register as a sex offender with the state. In general, those convicted of sex crimes against minors are required to remain on the registry for life. Failure to register or providing false information to the registry is a criminal offense and may be punished by one to 30 years imprisonment. Moving to another state does not remove the registration requirement - offenders are required to provide their new address to the sheriff's office in the last county they resided in Georgia as well as register with the sex offender registry in their new home state.

If you are being investigated for or have been charged with a state or federal child sexual exploitation crime, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney today. If convicted of these charges, you may be sentenced to 20 years or more in a state prison in addition to potential federal penalties; make sure that your rights and interests are protected throughout the process.

Article provided by Ross & Pines, LLC
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