Federal Sex Crimes
Sex offenses become federal when they cross state lines, involve the internet, or occur on federal property. Federal sex-crime prosecutions carry mandatory minimum sentences, lifetime supervised release, and sex-offender registration. The collateral consequences are permanent.
Child exploitation and child pornography
Production of child pornography carries a fifteen-year mandatory minimum. Distribution carries a five-year mandatory minimum. Receipt carries a five-year mandatory minimum. Possession carries up to twenty years. A prior sex-offense conviction doubles these ranges.
These cases are typically built on forensic examination of electronic devices: computers, phones, cloud storage accounts, peer-to-peer file sharing networks. The defense often turns on who had access to the device, whether the downloads were knowing, and whether the forensic analysis was conducted properly.
Sex trafficking
Sex trafficking under section 1591 of title 18 covers recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, or soliciting a person for commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion. If the victim is under eighteen, the government does not need to prove force, fraud, or coercion. The mandatory minimum is fifteen years; the maximum is life.
Federal sex-offender registration
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) imposes federal registration requirements in addition to state requirements. A federal sex-offense conviction triggers registration in every jurisdiction where the person lives, works, or attends school. Failure to register is a separate federal offense carrying up to ten years.
Talk to us
We also defend state sex-crime cases. If you have been convicted, we handle appeals.
713-224-1747.