Online sex chat rooms are not always safe to be in, especially if you know or suspect you are speaking with a child. In fact, according to one recent news story, a 24-year-old middle school social studies teacher is now facing charges after communicating in an online chat room with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl. Apparently, the teacher believed he was talking with a 14-year-old girl, when he was actually talking with a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent. The teacher is accused of trying to entice the girl to engage in sexual activity with him. He is accused of engaging in sexually graphic conversations, where he allegedly described sexually explicit acts he wanted to occur between himself and the 14-year-old. He is also accused of sending a picture of his genitalia and telling the girl he wanted to teach her more about sex. In Denver and Adams County, the middle school teacher would likely face Internet Luring of a Child, C.R.S. 18-3-306, charges. He could also face Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child, C.R.S. 18-3-405.4, charges. If facing charges of Internet Luring of a Child in Denver or Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Adams County, contact the O'Malley Law Office immediately.

What is the Definition of Internet Luring of a Child in Jefferson County?

The definition of Internet Luring of a Child in Jefferson County is:

“(1) An actor commits internet luring of a child if the actor knowingly communicates over a computer or computer network, telephone network, or data network or by a text message or instant message to a person who the actor knows or believes to be under fifteen years of age and, in that communication or in any subsequent communication by computer, computer network, telephone network, data network, text message, or instant message, describes explicit sexual conduct as defined in section 18-6-403 (2) (e), and, in connection with that description, makes a statement persuading or inviting the person to meet the actor for any purpose, and the actor is more than four years older than the person or than the age the actor believes the person to be.”

If after describing explicit sexual conduct the teacher invited or persuaded the pretend 14-year-old to meet him in a car, his home, somewhere in the school he worked at, or any other secluded place to engage in sexual activity, he would likely face charges of Internet Luring of a Child. Note, however, that the suggested meeting does not have to be for sexual purposes to face charges of Internet Luring of a Child. The teacher also qualifies as being more than four years older than the pretend child.

Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child Definition in Arapahoe County

The definition of Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child, C.R.S. 18-3-405.4, in Arapahoe County is:

“(1) An actor commits internet sexual exploitation of a child if the actor knowingly importunes, invites or entices through communication via a computer network or system, telephone network, or data network or by a text message or instant message, a person whom the actor knows or believes to be under fifteen years of age and at least four years younger than the actor, to:

• Expose or touch the person's own or another person's intimate parts while communicating with the actor via a computer network or system, telephone network, or data network or by a text message or instant message; or
• Observe the actor's intimate parts via a computer network or system, telephone network, or data network or by a text message or instant message.”

Because the teacher sent a picture of his genitalia to the pretend child, he would also likely face charges of Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child. For the purposes of this statute, “intimate parts” includes the eternal genitalia or the perineum or the anus or the buttocks or the pubes or the breast of any person.

Internet Luring of a Child in Denver and Douglas County Lawyer: Call Our Office Today

Internet Luring of a Child in Denver and Douglas County can either be a class 5 felony or class 4 felony, and also requires sex offender registration and SOMB treatment. Further, Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child is a class 4 felony and requires sex offender registration and treatment. Both sexual offenses can come with crippling consequences upon a conviction and both require the expertise of a full-time criminal defense attorney from the O'Malley Law Office. Never fight the government's case against you alone, especially when facing felony sexual crime charges. Contact the O'Malley Law Office to fight for you and defend you today.

If contacted by police regarding charges of Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child or Internet Luring of a Child in Denver, be smart and exercise your right to remain silent. Then, call us at 303-830-0880 or fill out the “Get Help Now”  form. Together, we can protect your future.

Image Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net – Stuart Miles