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 Maryland, solicitation of a minor for lewd purposes is a criminal offense that occurs when an individual knowingly solicits a minor to meet with the intent that the minor will engage in sexual activity. The specific statutes that address these offenses can be found in the Maryland Criminal Law Code. Depending on the circumstances, such as the age of the minor and the nature of the solicitation, the offense can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Penalties may include imprisonment, fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Under federal law, coercion and enticement (18 U.S.C. §2422(a)) is a crime that involves persuading or coercing an individual to travel to engage in prostitution or illegal sexual activity, while 18 U.S.C. §2422(b) specifically targets the use of interstate commerce to entice a minor under 18 years for these purposes. Additionally, the federal offense of transportation of minors (18 U.S.C. §2423(a)) criminalizes the act of transporting a minor with the intent that they engage in prostitution or illegal sexual activity. These federal offenses carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and fines.