The Internet provides a great way for people to interact while maintaining their privacy and anonymity. But just as private individuals can cloak their real identities on the internet, law enforcement agents also can pretend to be someone else - particularly in pursuit of sexual predators.
Some agents pose as children in chat rooms to lure predators into making sexual advances in public. Female officers may pose as young boys, sending adults photos that they say are their school photos. In other cases, officers may pose as pretty young girls, hoping to fool adults as to their real age.
Sometimes a law enforcement officer will develop a long-term chat relationship online with an adult who believes the officer is an underage boy or girl. After many months, the "child" may agree to meet the adult somewhere in person.
When the adult shows up and asks the "child" to perform sex acts, the adult is arrested on the spot by a full contingent of officers backing up the officer posing as a child. Law enforcement looks for a key action by the adult: saying something to the "child" that either directly or indirectly asks the child to perform sex acts.
In fact, in New York, a person could even be convicted of a crime for simply discussing these acts with children. Offenders may be charged with attempt even if they never arrange a meeting with the child. Law enforcement is very aggressive in targeting these persons, and can make life extremely difficult for anyone facing these charges.
If the offender is convicted of sex crimes, they may be facing very significant penalties. Not only with there be prison time, but those convicted will have to register as sex offenders. This can make it extremely difficult to find a place to live or work after being released from any jail or prison sentence.
These are cases that law enforcement takes very seriously. They spend a significant amount of time and money tracking down these types of offenders. If you have been arrested due to one of these stings, take the matter seriously. Speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney in your area to understand the options that may be available to you in your situation.
