Atlanta Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer
If you have been charged with an Internet crime, your reputation and freedom are at stake. An Internet sex crime conviction carries a severe penalty and requires registering as a sex offender which severely limits where you are allowed to live and work.
Internet sex crime investigations are carried out by numerous federal and state law enforcement agencies. A common law enforcement method is for a law enforcement agent or officer to pose as a minor on a site such as Craig’s list, arrange for a sexual meeting, and once the target of their investigation arrives at the meeting place, arrest the person and charge him with any number of offenses such as computer pornography, criminal attempt to commit aggravated child molestation, criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery, criminal attempt to commit child molestation, etc. In a case such as the one described herein, there is a “virtual victim”. Georgia law does not require a real, live victim to exist in this type of prosecution, merely that the accused believed the “victim” was a child.
Another common law enforcement method is for an agent or officer to visit a file sharing site and obtain the IP addresses of persons viewing pornographic images of minors. Armed with this information, the agent or officer is able to determine the user of the IP address and where the person lives, obtain a search warrant for the computers, hard drives, etc. in the person’s possession and arrest the person.
In a federal prosecution for computer pornography, Title 18 United States Code Section 2252A (a) (2) makes it illegal to knowingly receive or distribute any child pornography. In a federal prosecution for this offense, a person faces a penalty of 5 to 20 years imprisonment, is subject to the sex offender requirements of the state in which they reside as well as the reporting requirements set forth in the Federal Sex Offender and Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
Attorney Jeff Manciagli has had extensive experience and tremendous success defending individuals charged with all types of internet sex crime allegations. I am committed to obtaining the best possible result for you. Contact our Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer and schedule a free initial consultation today to discuss your case.