A North Carolina law enforcement task force has made headlines recently for arresting many people accused of using the Internet to exploit or traffic children. The Invictus Project—a “fusion center” consisting of law enforcement agencies in Randolph, Alamance, Davidson, and Forsyth counties, along with North Carolina’s State Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security—has taken an aggressive approach to these cases, and some of its noteworthy arrests include:
- A man accused of using a computer to arrange a sexual encounter with a child
- Two men accused of cyber sex crimes involving children
- A Randolph County man accused of 10 counts of second-degree exploitation of a minor
- Five men accused of sex crimes involving minors following an undercover operation
While law enforcement agencies choosing to monitor online spaces and set up undercover stings is not a new tactic, the many arrests made by the Invictus Project demonstrate the strategy’s effectiveness.
North Carolina’s Child Solicitation Laws
Under North Carolina law, it’s a crime for anyone 16 or older to use a computer or other electronic device to knowingly entice, coerce, or command another person younger than 16 and at least five years younger than them to meet to commit an “unlawful sex act.” This law also applies if the victim is old enough to consent, but the accused believed they were too young. Finally, it’s worth noting that this law may apply even if one of the parties involved doesn’t live in North Carolina. All that matters is if the illegal message originated or was received within state boundaries.
In general, solicitation of a minor using a computer is a Class H felony, and the maximum penalty is 39 months in prison. If an offender appears at the location where they were supposed to meet their victim, it’s a Class G felony, and the maximum penalty is 47 months in prison.
How Law Enforcement Agencies Set Up Internet Sex Stings
While the details of how Internet sex stings are set up by the Invictus Project or other law enforcement agencies differ, the general pattern is the same. In many cases, law enforcement agents pose as minors on anonymous message boards or chat rooms, as these online spaces don’t require users to verify their identity to post. Once someone messages a law enforcement agent posing as a minor and sets up a meeting, they are already in trouble. Even if they don’t attend the meeting, they’ve still committed a crime under North Carolina law.
Contact a North Carolina Child Solicitation Defense Attorney Now
A conviction for soliciting a minor over the Internet is a severe offense in North Carolina, so it’s crucial to contact an attorney right away if you face these charges. The Winston-Salem child solicitation defense lawyers at Greenwood Law can help you contest the charges by examining the electronic evidence against you for weaknesses, showing you didn’t intend to commit an illegal sex act, or negotiating a possible plea agreement. Call us today or complete our contact form for a confidential consultation.