Earlier this summer, a Nebraska man was convicted of the Colorado equivalent of Enticement of a Child – C.R.S. 18-3-305. He was caught during a police sting operation. Sting operations to catch “child predators” are common throughout Weld, Morgan and Logan County. If you have been caught during a sting operation, don’t hesitate: Contact one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys to begin work on your case immediately. Enticement of a Child is a serious sex offense in Greeley, Windsor and Eaton. You could be facing life in prison, registration as a sex offender, and sex offender treatment.
What is Enticement of a Child in Greeley and Weld County?
Enticement of a Child charges occur whenever a person invites, persuades, or attempts to invite or persuade, a child under the age of 15 years old to enter any secluded place (a room, building, vehicle, etc.) with the intent to commit sexual assault or unlawful sexual contact on the child. Because actual, physical contact isn’t necessary for a conviction, online sting operations are often utilized by law enforcement agencies. A police officer will pose online as a girl or boy under the age of fifteen. The cop will then steer conversations in the direction they need for a conviction, and will try to establish two things:
- They will be sure to tell the person they are chatting with that they are under 15 at some point during the conversation.
- They will establish that the person they are chatting with wanted to meet the child for a sexual encounter.
Police often lay their trap in adult chat rooms, so be careful. We have worked with clients who didn’t realize the person they were chatting with was so young – it was mentioned at some point in the conversation, but they weren’t paying attention. It is best to avoid adult chat rooms altogether – you could be facing life-changing charges if you talk with the wrong person.
What is the Sentence for Enticement of a Child?
Enticement of a Child is subject to Colorado’s Indeterminate Sentencing. This means at sentencing, a judge won’t set an upper limit to your time in the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC). For example, Enticement of a Child is in most cases a class 4 felony. A judge would sentence you for 2 years to life. The Colorado Parole Board would determine your release, which is dependent on you finishing the mandatory sex offender treatment overseen by the Colorado Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB). Unfortunately, there is a shortage of treatment providers, so you could be in prison for a very long time.
Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are convicted of Enticement of a Child in Weld, Sedgwick, or Grand County, you could be facing life in prison. You will also be required to register as a sex offender and undergo harsh sex offender treatment. Don’t put your future in the hands of an inexperienced lawyer or a tired public defender. Contact one of our capable defense attorneys to work on your case to get the best outcome possible.
If you or a loved one is facing Enticement of a Child charges in Weld, Logan or Morgan County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 970-616-6009, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.
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