People will do anything for money. In one news story I read, a former beauty queen was arrested after suspicions of producing and distributing child pornography for money. The child involved was a 4-year-old family member. The former beauty queen took pictures of the child in sexually explicit poses. She also sold sexually explicit images of the 4-year-old electronically to a U.S. Marine in exchange for cash and gifts. She was also said to have had sex for money when children were present. In Colorado, the former beauty queen would face charges of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Prostitution.

Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Denver: Producing and Selling Sexually Exploitative Material

According to C.R.S. 18-6-403(3), in Denver and Arapahoe County, some of the ways Sexual Exploitation of a Child charges can be filed are if someone knowingly:

• Causes, induces, entices, or permits a child to engage in, or be used for, any explicit sexual conduct for the making of any sexually exploitative material; or
• Prepares, arranges for, publishes, including but not limited to publishing through digital or electronic means, produces, promotes, makes, sells, finances, offers, exhibits, advertises, deals in, or distributes, including but not limited to distributing through digital or electronic means, any sexually exploitative material.

The former beauty queen caused the child to be used for explicit sexual conduct to make sexually exploitative material by taking photos of her in sexually explicit poses. She also distributed and sold the sexually explicit images to a U.S. Marine electronically. He will likely be charged too. You should know, it's not hard for police, businesses or even friends / family to find out if you've been sharing sexually exploitative material of children online. Criminal charges for Sexual Exploitation of a Child can also pile up fast if you're found sharing sexually explicit photos, videos, or other “mechanically, electronically, chemically or digitally reproduced visual material, showing children engaged in, participating in, observing or being used for explicit sexual conduct” on more than one computer or cellphone.

How Denver Sexual Exploitation of a Child is Charged

In Denver, Jefferson County and El Paso County, and throughout Colorado, Sexual Exploitation of a Child is a class 3 felony. However, sexual exploitation of a child by possession of sexually exploitative material alone pursuant to paragraph (b.5) of subsection (3) of C.R.S. 18-6-403, is a class 5 felony; except that said offense is a class 4 felony if:

1. It's a second of subsequent offense; or
2. The possession is of a video, recording or broadcast of moving visual images, or motion picture or more than twenty different items qualifying as sexually exploitative material.

What is Prostitution in Adams County?

Prostitution, C.R.S. 18-7-201, is charged in Adams and Douglas County when:

“Any person performs or offers or agrees to perform any act of sexual intercourse, fellatio, cunnilingus, masturbation, or anal intercourse with any person not his spouse in exchange for money or other thing of value commits prostitution.”

The former beauty queen allegedly offered to have sex and did have sex in exchange for money, which is considered Prostitution. It seems extensive for a defendant to face the same legal consequences for offering to have sex and actually having sex for money. But, in our Colorado government's eyes, they are one and the same. Further, prostitution is normally a class 3 misdemeanor in Adams County, Douglas County, and across Colorado. Because the woman had sex in front of children, she could face harsher sentencing since her conduct was considered “lewd”. Lewd conduct means an action was carried out to arouse a defendant's sexual desire (libido) at the victim's expense. An expert criminal defense attorney is essential to evaluate and interpret whether a defendant's conduct was lewd.

Charged with a Sex Crime in Denver? Contact the Best Sex Crimes Defense Attorney

Prostitution and Sexual Exploitation of a Child charges are serious in Denver, Littleton and across Colorado. You could spend up to 6 months in the Denver County Jail or up to 12 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections if convicted. You and your future are valuable – don't wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer if you're facing any one of these sex crimes charges anywhere in Colorado. Our aggressive attorneys will fight hard to protect you.

If you or a loved one is facing charges of Sexual Exploitation of a Child or Prostitution in Denver or Jefferson County, be smart and remain silent. Don't talk to police; instead call the experienced sex crimes defense lawyers in Denver at the O'Malley Law Office at
303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.