[Alberta's Child]

The fact that you have to ask shows a major flaw in the whole process of prosecuting these cases. How can you charge someone with "enticing a minor by internet or text" when there is no minor involved in the alleged crime?

It seems there is a laughably easy defense in a case like this:

"I wasn't communicating with a minor. I was communicating with an adult pretending to be a minor -- AND I KNEW HE/SHE WAS A MINOR."

[Alberta's Child]

Sorry ... that should read: “AND I KNEW HE/SHE WASN’T A MINOR.”

[Drew68]

The fact that you have to ask shows a major flaw in the whole process of prosecuting these cases. How can you charge someone with "enticing a minor by internet or text" when there is no minor involved in the alleged crime?

Cops run these stings in Jacksonville, Florida all the time. FWIW, the cop always poses as a female minor. I guess they don’t want to endure the wrath of the gay lobby who might actually fight the charges like you said. The men plead out, serve a light sentence, if any time at all, and must register as sex offenders. The alternative is take it to trial and face several years in prison.