As reported by Donita Naylor in the February 5, 2015 edition of the Providence Journal, a West Warwick man has been arrested and charged with indecent solicitation of a minor and disseminating indecent material to a minor. The man was arrested following an investigation by the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-37-8.8, indecent solicitation of a child is defined as person is guilty of indecent solicitation of a child if he or she knowingly solicits another person under eighteen (18) years of age or one whom he or she believes is a person under eighteen (18) years of age for the purpose of engaging in an act of prostitution or in any act in violation of chapter 9, 34, or 37 of this title.
(b) As used in this section, the word "solicit" or "solicitation" means to command, authorize, urge, incite, request, or advise another to perform an act by any means including, but not limited to, in person, over the phone, in writing, by computer, through the Internet, or by advertisement of any kind.
The penalties if convicted include imprisoned for not less than five (5) years, sex offender registration and sex offender counseling.
Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 11-9-1.5, no person shall knowingly and intentionally use a computer or telecommunication device to transmit an indecent visual depiction to a person he or she knows is, or believes to be, a minor. In this case, a minor is anyone under the age of eighteen (18). Indecent material includes material depicting sexually explicit conduct. Sexually explicit conduct is broadly defined to include
(i) Graphic sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, or lascivious sexual intercourse where the genitals or pubic area of any person is exhibited;
(ii) Bestiality;
(iii) Masturbation;
(iv) Sadistic or masochistic abuse; or
(v) Graphic or lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person.
The penalties if convicted include imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both. A person would also be required to register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender counseling.
If you or a family member has been charged with indecent solicitation of a child, child molestation or other sexual offenses, please allow Attorney Robert H. Humphrey’s reputation, experience and skill to successfully guide you through the legal process. Please contact Attorney Robert H. Humphrey, Esq., at 401-816-5862 or e-mail him at rhh@rhumphreylaw.com.