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 York, solicitation of a minor for sexual purposes is a serious criminal offense. Under New York Penal Law, an individual may be charged with a crime if they solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. The severity of the charge can range from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on factors such as the age of the minor and the nature of the solicitation. This is often prosecuted under statutes related to luring a child (Section 120.70) and use of a child in a sexual performance (Section 263.05). Federally, the crime of coercion and enticement under 18 U.S.C. §2422(a) criminalizes the act of persuading or coercing any individual to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity, while 18 U.S.C. §2422(b) specifically targets the use of interstate commerce to engage a minor in such activities. Additionally, 18 U.S.C. §2423(a) addresses the transportation of minors with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. These federal laws apply when there is an interstate or foreign element to the crime, such as the use of the internet or crossing state lines, and they carry severe penalties, including significant prison time.