Earlier this year, a New Jersey man was arrested on a Colorado warrant for Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child – C.R.S. 18-3-405.4. According to the Larimer County Sheriff, the 18-year-old allegedly attempted to use photos to extort a 14-year old girl in Larimer County. These types of occurrences are becoming more and more common with the increase of younger generations using smartphones. Parents need to be aware of the danger of “sexting” and sending photos over the internet. Nothing is private, and your child could face humiliation and abuse if the photos are of a sexual nature.
What is Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Larimer County?
Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child is a serious offense in Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park. A person will be charged if they:
- “Knowingly” communicate online or over the phone (text messages, or in chat rooms) with a child whom they know to be under the age of 15 and invite, entice or importune that child to expose or touch their own intimate parts while communicating online or over the phone; or cause the child to observe their own intimate parts while communicating online or over the phone.
For example, according to the Larimer County Sherriff’s Office, the 14-year old girl sent a photo she believed to be private to the New Jersey man, who was posing as a 15-year-old boy. Once the man had the photo in his possession, he started to blackmail her into committing (and broadcasting) other sexual acts, and threatening to release the original photo if she didn’t comply.
What is the Sentence for Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child?
This sex offense is a class 4 felony. Normally, a person would receive either sex offender intensive supervised probation (SOISP) or up to 6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for this level of offense. Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child is subject to Colorado’s indeterminate sentencing laws, however. This means a judge is unable to set the upper limit for a prison sentence – if sentenced to DOC, a person would face 2 years to life. Their release would be dependent on finishing sex offender treatment (overseen by the Sex Offender Management Board) and the Colorado Parole Board deciding if they are safe to release. This young man from New Jersey is facing serious accusations – it would be wise to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect his future.