Our culture is overtly sexual. It's difficult to draw lines relating to morality with a society that believes everything is relative and children are growing up faster than ever before. A few laws are very difficult to define. One of these is Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child – C.R.S. 18-3-405.4. With children sexually aware at an earlier age and the rise of smartphone use, this sex offense in Denver, Douglas and Arapahoe County is being charged much more often than in the past.

What is Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Denver?

This crime is a sex offense in Larimer, Adams and Jefferson County. A person commits Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child if they:

• “Knowingly” invite, importune, or entice a child under the age of 15 to expose or touch their intimate parts, or allow the child to observe their own intimate parts while communicating via a computer network, or telephone network (online or over the phone). The person committing this offense must be 4 years older than the alleged victim.

Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child is a class 4 felony, and is subject to Colorado's Indeterminate Sentencing laws. This means you could be sentenced to the Colorado Department of Corrections for 2 years to life. You would also be required to register as a sex offender, and undergo harsh sex offender treatment as overseen by the Colorado Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB).

SnapChat and Sex Crimes in Denver – Very Dangerous for Our Children

Children are using the internet more than ever before. Much of this activity is on their phones. In a recent study, the research group Nielsen found that 58% of children from the ages of 13-17 own smartphones. With the usage of cell phones comes the usage of apps such as Skype, SnapChat, and many more. At this age, children aren't always able to grasp the implications of their actions. One of these apps, the popular SnapChat, allows people to take a picture of themselves and send it to another user. When the other person receives the image, they are able to see the picture for a few seconds before the app “deletes” the image. However, this image is actually not deleted, as SnapChat assures. Many people know how to access these images at a later date. SnapChat originated as a sexting app, but has become popular among the younger generation. The privacy police states you must be 13 to download the app. But, there is nothing to restrict a child younger than thirteen from downloading it. This is dangerous ground for our children. A nude image on a cell phone, or a SnapChat sent to a boy in school could result in charges of Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Denver, Highlands Ranch or Parker.

If you are charged with Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Denver, Adams or Moffat County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.

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