Internet Sex Crimes are a relatively new crime created by the legislature. The pursuit of these crimes have been made popular by shows such as MSNBC's To Catch a Predator. The Attorney General has a specific task force in charge of prosecuting these crimes. The crime is often charged as criminal solicitation of a minor, SC Code 16-15-342. But it is also common for the state to charge the defendant with attempted criminal sexual conduct with a minor as well. A person eighteen years of age or older commits the offense of criminal solicitation of a minor if he knowingly contacts or communicates with a person he believes is under the age of eighteen for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity as defined in Section 16-15-375(5) or a violent crime as defined in Section 16-1-60, or with the intent to perform a sexual activity in the presence of the person under the age of eighteen. It is not a defense to a prosecution pursuant to this section, on the basis of consent or otherwise, that the person reasonably believed to be under the age of eighteen is a law enforcement agent or officer acting in an official capacity. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than ten years, or both.

A person charged with this crime is also subject to some very serious consequences such as lifetime registration as a sex offender and potential lifetime electronic monitoring and even life in prison for being diagnosed as a sexual violent predator. Derek Enderlin not only tried the first Internet Sex Case that involved a charge of Attempted Criminal Sexual with a Minor, he has also lectured on the subject to other attorneys. If you are charged with this crime, call Derek Enderlin if you need an attorney you know is experienced in this type of crime.