Examples of Computer Aided Solicitation

Computer-aided solicitation of a minor can occur in many different ways. Some examples include:

• Sending sexually explicit messages to a minor via social media platforms or an online messaging service.
• Sharing obscene or sexually suggestive images or videos with someone believed to be under the legal age of consent through emails or direct messages.
• Using chat rooms or other electronic textual communication to initiate conversations with minors to engage in actual sexual conduct.
• Creating or responding to a local bulletin board service to meet minors to participate in sexual conduct.
• Utilizing video gaming platforms to connect with and solicit minors for sexual purposes.

What is the Punishment for Solicitation of a Minor?

In Louisiana, those convicted of computer-aided solicitation of a minor face severe penalties, including lengthy incarceration, fines, and registration as a sex offender. Listed below are the following penalties for this criminal offense.

• The alleged victim is younger than 13: Those convicted can be fined no more than $10,000 and imprisoned at hard labor for at least ten years but no more than twenty years without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
• The alleged victim is at least 13 but younger than 17: A conviction can result in fines costing up to $10,000. The offender will also be imprisoned at hard labor for no more than ten years without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
• The alleged victim is a person reasonably believed to be younger than 17: This sentence usually occurs when the person on the other side of the electronic textual communication is an undercover law enforcement officer rather than an actual minor. A conviction for this offense can result in fines costing a maximum of $10,000 and imprisonment at hard labor for at least two years but no more than ten years without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
• When the computer-aided solicitation results in actual sexual conduct and the age difference between the alleged victim and offender is five years or more: Conviction can result in no more than $10,000 in fines and imprisonment with or without hard labor for not less than seven years nor more than ten years.
• For a second conviction, the offender can be imprisoned at hard labor for no more than 25 years without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.