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 New Jersey, solicitation of a minor for sexual purposes is a serious criminal offense. Under state law, an individual commits this crime if they knowingly solicit a minor to meet with the intent that the minor will engage in sexual activity. The severity of the charge, whether a misdemeanor or felony, depends on the specific circumstances of the case and the state's statutes. Federally, the crime of coercion and enticement under 18 U.S.C. §2422(a) occurs when someone persuades, induces, entices, or coerces another person to travel to engage in prostitution or illegal sexual activity, or attempts to do so. When the individual is under 18, the use of mail, internet, or other means of interstate or foreign commerce for such purposes is also a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. §2422(b). Additionally, the federal offense of transportation of minors, under 18 U.S.C. §2423(a), involves knowingly transporting a minor with the intent that they engage in prostitution or illegal sexual activity. These federal laws apply regardless of state lines and can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment.