There are few crimes investigated and prosecuted as aggressively as crimes against minors, especially crimes of a sexual nature. A recent sex sting operation being conducted by undercover law enforcement officers in Harris County has yielded a new batch of arrests and landed six men in serious legal trouble.
A local Houston news outlet is reporting that undercover officers posing as minors online were able to track down and arrest the men after they made claims that they were willing to travel to meet the minors for sex. The adult men believed that they were conversing with underage males and females and expressed willingness to meet up with them in person for sex and sexual acts. The men all arranged a time and place in the northwest Harris County area to meet with the minors. However, the men were greeted not by minors but by law enforcement.
All six men now face charges of solicitation with a minor. One suspect was charged with multiple counts of solicitation since they were allegedly communicating with more than one minor. In Texas, the legal definition of solicitation with a minor is the use of any electronic medium such as a computer, smartphone, tablet, or other internet-connected devices to communicate with a minor in a sexually explicit way or to distribute sexually explicit material to a minor.
A minor is considered anyone under the age of 17 years old. The charge of solicitation of a minor is a serious one and, depending on the age of the minor, can result in anywhere from 10 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. In addition, a conviction will also result in the individual having to register as a sex offender.
Facing Sex Crime Charges in Texas
Texas takes a tough stance on sex crimes involving minors. Even just a charge can be enough to ruin someone’s career, reputation, and even their financial stability. A conviction not only carries immediate penalties but also life-long consequences. Registering as a sex offender can impact where you live and how you earn a living. It can also wreck both your personal and professional relationships, leaving you feeling isolated and without support in all aspects of your life.
Being charged with an internet sex crime like solicitation of a minor is serious and requires a solid defense strategy. At Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian, our attorneys have the experience and the resources to review the situation and cultivate a compelling defense strategy aimed at giving you the best possible outcome for your circumstances.
Too often, individuals are afraid of getting an attorney right away because they fear it will make them seem guilty. This is a huge misconception. If you’ve been charged, you need someone on your side to protect your rights immediately.
Talk to an Experienced Defense Attorney
Want to discuss the details of your case with an experienced Texas sex crimes attorney? Contact the team at Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian today. Call us at (972) 369-0577, and let’s set up a consultation so we can thoroughly go over the circumstances of your situation. You deserve an aggressive defense.