Under state laws a person generally commits the criminal offense of solicitation of a minor—also known as solicitation of a minor for lewd purposes—if the person knowingly solicits a minor to meet the person or another person with the intent that the minor will engage in sexual contact, sexual intercourse, or deviate sexual intercourse with the person or another person. These laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code—and may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or as a felony offense, depending on the state’s laws and the circumstances of the alleged crime.

And under federal law a person commits the criminal offense of coercion and enticement if the person knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any individual to travel in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any Territory or Possession of the United States, to engage in prostitution or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense—or if a person attempts to do so. 18 U.S.C. §2422(a).

Similarly, a person commits this criminal offense of coercion and enticement if the person uses the mail or any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce (including the internet or telephones) to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, or coerce any individual under the age of 18 years to engage in prostitution or any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense—or if a person attempts to do so. 18 U.S.C. §2422(b).

And a person commits the related federal criminal offense of transportation of minors if the person knowingly transports an individual under the age of 18 years in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, with the intent that the individual engage in prostitution or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense. 18 U.S.C. §2423(a).

In Florida, solicitation of a minor for lewd purposes is addressed under Florida Statutes Section 800.04, which covers lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age. This includes soliciting a person believed to be a minor to engage in sexual activity. Depending on the circumstances and the ages of the individuals involved, these offenses can be prosecuted as either misdemeanors or felonies, with penalties varying from fines to significant prison time. Federally, under 18 U.S.C. §2422(a), it is a crime to coerce or entice someone to travel across state lines to engage in prostitution or illegal sexual activity. Additionally, 18 U.S.C. §2422(b) makes it a federal offense to use means of interstate or foreign commerce, including the internet, to persuade or coerce a minor into sexual activity. Furthermore, 18 U.S.C. §2423(a) criminalizes the transportation of minors across state or international lines with the intent of engaging in sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense. These federal laws carry severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, and are designed to protect minors from sexual exploitation and trafficking.