
Internet sex crimes are generally prosecuted under federal criminal statutes and can result in severe penalties if convicted, including prison time, public registration, and lifetime collateral consequences. If you or a loved one has been accused of internet sexual offenses, you should contact an East St. Louis internet sex crime lawyer right away.
At The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, we provide defense for people in East St. Louis charged with internet sex crimes at the federal and state levels. For many years, East St. Louis sex crime lawyer Jessica Koester has defended clients in high-stakes criminal cases, including federal sex crimes, and she knows how devastating these charges can be for a person’s future.
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Internet sex crimes in East St. Louis are a catch-all phrase that can encompass a variety of crimes that include using the internet or other electronic means to commit or facilitate a sexual crime.
Internet sex crimes cover offenses such as online child exploitation and production of illegal materials, along with possession or distribution of obscene or child pornography, solicitation of minors, enticement of minors, or the facilitation of child exploitation through electronic communication technologies.
The USSC, or United States Sentencing Commission, noted that 1,375 of the 61,678 federal cases reported for Fiscal Year 2024 included offenses that involved child pornography. Convictions for child pornography offenses in FY 2024 resulted in 45.8% for simple possession and 43.1% for trafficking child pornography, while 11.1% of convictions were for receiving child pornography.
Federal internet sex crime laws apply to these offenses when they involve access to the Internet or communications across state lines or international borders. Under federal law, anyone who knowingly transfers a visual depiction of minors doing sexually explicit activities via computer or interstate commerce methods commits a crime.
The law also prohibits the persuasion, coercion, and transportation of children to generate sexual content while also banning their dissemination on the internet.
Internet crimes fall under federal jurisdiction because they connect individuals and devices across state and potentially international borders, regardless of whether the initial behavior involved only local actors. Convictions in federal internet sex crime cases receive stricter penalties and access to more extensive law enforcement resources.
While a person should always speak to an attorney after being arrested, this is especially important when a person has been charged with an internet sex crime. Without an attorney, do not give a statement to the police.
Also, do not open, delete, or modify any electronic files. Retain all computers, cell phones, and other electronic equipment and follow all conditions of bail. Contact an East St. Louis internet sex crime attorney as soon as possible so that legal advice can be given before actions are taken that could harm the case.
If you decide to hire an internet sex crime lawyer, you are getting legal representation that can help you build a strong defense strategy that is tailored to your unique circumstances. A knowledgeable attorney who concentrates on internet sex crime law can improve your case’s outcome when facing charges related to child pornography or sexual offenses involving the internet.
If you have been charged with an internet sex crime, fight for your future right away with the help of The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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