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 Michigan, solicitation of a minor for lewd purposes is addressed under Michigan Penal Code MCL 750.145a, which criminalizes the use of the internet or any other electronic communication device to communicate with any person believed to be a minor for the purpose of committing an unlawful act, including sexual acts. The offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances, such as the age of the minor and the nature of the solicitation. Penalties can include imprisonment, fines, and/or registration as a sex offender. 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, and under 18 U.S.C. §2422(b), it is a crime to use interstate facilities, including the internet, to coerce or entice a minor into such activities. Additionally, 18 U.S.C. §2423(a) criminalizes the transportation of minors across state lines with the intent of engaging in sexual activities for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense. These federal offenses are serious and can result in significant penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.