In Greeley, Windsor, and Evans, most parents, and kids for that matter, don’t know the law about ‘sexting’ until it is too late. Sexting seems to be a new normal among adolescents. In a recent Drexel University study, 30% of teens who sexted included photos and 61% were unaware that sending naked pictures could be considered child pornography.
An investigation into Parker High School is dealing with that very issue. Parker Police are looking into numerous sexually explicit photographs being sent around the student body. They believe they have found where the photos originated from, but are still trying to find everyone involved. Simply receiving an unsolicited photo can put your child at risk for charges. Police believe the photos are still circulating and asking parents to check their student’s social media and phones to make sure they are not involved.
Sexting – Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Greeley
In Weld, Morgan, and Logan County, Child pornography is generally charged as Sexual Exploitation of a Child – C.R.S. 18-6-403. Colorado law defines Sexual Exploitation of a Child as:
- a. Causes, induces, entices, or permits a child to engage in, or be used for, any explicit sexual conduct for the making of any sexually exploitative material; or
- b. Prepares, arranges for, publishes, including but not limited to publishing through digital or electronic means, produces, promotes, makes, sells, finances, offers, exhibits, advertises, deals in, or distributes, including but not limited to distributing through digital or electronic means, any sexually exploitative material; or
- b.5 Possesses or controls any sexually exploitative material for any purpose; or
- c. Possesses with the intent to deal in, sell, or distribute, including but not limited to distributing through digital or electronic means, any sexually exploitative material; or
- d. Causes, induces, entices, or permits a child to engage in, or be used for, any explicit sexual conduct for the purpose of producing a performance.
It doesn’t matter if the person with the sexually explicit material is a juvenile or an adult, the charge is the same. Possessing sexually exploitative material (b.5) is a class 6 felony.
If you or your child has been charged with a Sexting crime, call the O’Malley Law Office, P.C. at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced Colorado criminal defense attorney team members. Together, we can protect your child’s future.
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