Sexual Exploitation of a Child and social media are becoming more and more intertwined as people use apps to share inappropriate material. Posting and direct messaging suggestive items can lead to significant criminal charges with potentially lifelong ramifications. Last week, a former UFC fighter was arrested in Colorado after allegedly sending inappropriate messages and photos to a 16-year-old girl via a social media app. The man faces two felony charges including attempted sexual exploitation of a child and promotion of obscenity to a minor. Allegations such as these require immediate representation from an experienced Aurora sexual exploitation of a child lawyer.

Social Media Apps and Child Sexual Exploitation

There are a growing number of crimes involving apps on smartphones and tablets. Whenever the sharing of lewd messages or photos occurs, the potential for police involvement intensifies. C.R.S. 18-6-403 defines the conduct of sexual exploitation of a child in Colorado's counties. Someone commits this sex crime if they:

• possess materials that include a minor under 18 engaged in sexual behavior,
• or contribute in any manner to creating or sharing these materials

In the story above, the man allegedly used an app to first send a friend request to the 16-year-old girl. Next, records indicate that he sent direct messages that were sexual in nature, followed by nude photos of himself. Alongside this material, the man is accused of asking for pictures of the minor, although not specifically of her exposing intimate parts. These details are perhaps the reason for a charge of attempted sexual exploitation of a child, still a felony offense.

Consequences of Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Aurora, Colorado

Potential penalties of sexual exploitation of a child are severe in Aurora, and throughout the state of Colorado. Depending on the specifics of each unique case, punishment can include 1 – 12 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and also thousands of dollars in fines. Additionally, upon release from incarceration, convicted offenders will be placed on sex offender intensive supervised probation (SOISP) and required to complete sex offender treatment. Overseen by the “one size fits all” approach of the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB), limitations significantly affect places you can go, people you can interact with, and even where you can live. Child sexual exploitation conviction also results in having to register as a sex offender for a minimum of 20 years in Colorado. Two decades of visibility online labeled as a “child predator” can be particularly unbearable and negatively impact employment opportunities.

Defense Attorney for Sexual Exploitation of a Child Charges

When consequences such as these exist, a skilled criminal defense attorney by your side is critical. Prosecutors sometimes overcharge in these situations as a scare tactic to reach a guilty plea. Hiring an experienced Aurora sexual exploitation of a child lawyer can prove especially invaluable in forming a strong defense. We have decades of experience defending clients accused of sex offenses throughout Colorado and our results speak for themselves. Contact our office for a free consultation where our defense attorneys will thoroughly analyze your unique situation and offer productive next steps.

If you or someone you know is facing sexual exploitation of a minor charges, be smart. Contact Aurora's best sex crimes attorneys at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.

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