Indiana Sex Crimes: Promotion of Child Sexual Trafficking

Charges of promotion of child sexual trafficking are some of the most serious charges you can face. No matter how impartial a judge and jury are supposed to be in a child sexual trafficking case, when it comes to children, biases slip in. When you’re accused of promotion of child sexual trafficking, it can feel like the cards are stacked against you, but being familiar with Indiana laws and retaining an expert criminal defense attorney well-versed in these laws can ensure your rights are protected and you get a fair trial.  

Indiana Laws on Child Sexual Trafficking 

To fully understand the laws on promotion of sexual trafficking, it’s important to become familiar with what constitutes child sexual trafficking under Indiana law (IC 35-42-3.5-1.3). Child sex trafficking occurs when a person over the age of 18 knowingly or intentionally sells a child (a person under the age of 18) for the purpose of prostitution, juvenile prostitution, or other sexual conduct. 

Indiana Laws on the Promotion of Child Sexual Trafficking and Promotion of Sexual Trafficking of a Young Child

Under Indiana’s Promotion of Child Sexual Trafficking and Promotion of Sexual Trafficking of a Young Child (IC 35-42-3.5-1.2), the definition of child sexual trafficking and the promotion of these acts sounds similar. The act of promoting child sexual trafficking is defined as when a person “knowingly or intentionally recruits, entices, harbors, or transports a child less than 18 years of age” with the intent to have the child engage in the following acts: 

• Prostitution 
• Juvenile prostitution 
• Sexual conduct 
• Child exploitation 

Promotion of child sexual trafficking can come in many forms. A few common examples of what this looks like in practice can be:

• Advertising a child for commercial sexual activity online or on social media
• Targeting and recruiting vulnerable children by offering them housing, money, or other gifts
• Providing housing or rides for a child to meet with others to participate in sexual activity 
• Taking a cut of another person’s child sexual trafficking operation 
• Assisting traffickers in evading detection, for example, by providing advice on advertising on the dark web
• Threatening the child to keep them from seeking help 
• Failing to report if someone is trafficking children on your property or in your business

What are the Penalties for Promotion of Child Sexual Trafficking and Sexual Trafficking of a Young Child?

Promotion of child sexual trafficking and sexual trafficking of a young child in Indiana are considered Level 3 felonies. Level 3 felonies in Indiana can result in between three and 16 years of prison time and fines of up to $10,000. Additionally, if a person is convicted of promotion of child sexual trafficking in Indiana, the state’s sex offender registry law (IC 11-8-8-5) requires that they be listed on the “sex or violent offender” registry. 

Call Our Indianapolis Criminal Defense Team if You’re Facing Charges Related to Sexual Trafficking of a Child 

The only person you can guarantee to be in your corner when facing charges related to child sexual trafficking is your attorney, which is why choosing the right legal team makes all the difference. At Razumich & Associates, PLLC, our criminal defense attorneys are well-versed in Indiana’s child sexual trafficking laws. We deploy the best defense to get you the best possible outcome. Call us today at 317-449-8665 to schedule your confidential consultation.