Police Sting Operations in Internet Sex Crimes

Defending Your Rights in the Virginia Counties of Fairfax and Prince William

In the Commonwealth of Virginia regarding Sex Crimes - detectives and police work together to build their cases. When evidence may be lacking for an arrest, especially in cases involving minors, law enforcement may resort to “sting operations” to target suspects and gather more evidence.

While these undercover operations are legal, they remain controversial in nature, especially when they blur the line between proactive policing and entrapment. If you’ve been arrested in Northern Virginia following a police sting, Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney Sheryl Shane is here to fight for your rights, your freedom, and your future.

What Are Police Sting Operations involving Crimes against Children?

Sting operations involve law enforcement officers often posing as minors—to catch alleged pedophile sex offenders. These operations are particularly common online, where officers may create fake profiles on internet advertising platforms, dating apps, chat rooms, and well-known social media platforms.  The internet is used to lure sex offenders with proclivities toward sex crimes against children.

In many cases, officers pretend to be minors and use deceptive tactics such as:

• Sharing photos of adults portrayed as minors to help establish a false identity.
• Initiating and stepping up sexually explicit conversations.
• Revealing themselves to be a minor during the exchange through text.
• Arranging meetings to trigger an arrest.

Even if no sexual act takes place, simply showing up at the agreed-upon meeting may result in felony criminal sex charges.

Common Charges Resulting from Internet Sex Crime Stings

Sex Crimes against Children

Engaging in sexual activity with anyone under the legal age of consent—regardless of actual intent—can lead to felony sex charges. For minors under the age of (13) thirteen, the law assumes they cannot give consent under any circumstances. A conviction can result in years of imprisonment and being court ordered to register as a sex offender.

Indecent Liberties with a Minor

Under Virginia Code §18.2-370, it's a Class 5 felony for adults to:

• Expose their privates areas or encourage a minor (under the age of 15) to expose themselves in such a manner.
• Propose sexual acts to a child under the age of (15) fifteen.
• Entice the child to enter a vehicle, house, room, or other space to commit such acts.

Penalties may include imprisonment for up to ten years, significant fines and court costs, and a court order to register as a sex offender with the state police.

Use of Communication Systems to facilitate certain Offenses involving Children.

A. Using a communication system, including computers, computer networks, telecommunications, radio, and or any other electronic means for procuring and promoting the use of a minor in relation to:

• Indecent Liberties under Va. Code Ann. 18.2-370 or,
• The Production, Publication, Sale or Financing of Child Pornography under Va. Code Ann. 18.2-374.1

is unlawful and a conviction will lead to serious penalties.

B. It is also a crime when adults use these systems for purposes of soliciting, with lascivious intent in instances where the alleged perpetrator knew or should have known the child is under the age of (15) fifteen, and

• He or she exposes genitals or proposes such, when the two are not married;
• Proposes fondling in an unlawful manner;
• Proposes intercourse or sexual acts involving different orifices of the body.
• Entices, allures, persuades, or invites a minor into a vehicle, house, room, or other place for the purpose of the abovenamed acts.

Using the internet or electronic devices to persuade, entice, or invite a child under the age of fifteen to engage in sexual activity is a serious offense. A conviction when there is a (7) years age difference can result in up to 30 years for a first offense.  A person convicted of a subsequent offense may be sentenced up to 40 years imprisonment.

Child Pornography

Sting operations may also target those suspected of trafficking, producing, or even possessing child pornography.

What is child pornography?

Basically, child pornography can be defined as sexually explicit material depicting identifiable minor(s) in a state of nudity or engaged in sexual conduct, where the depiction is obscene.

 Laws against Child Pornography has been drafted and embodied into Virginia Legislation.

1. Possession of Child Pornography Virginia criminal code 18.2-374.1:1.

(A Class 6 felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison for a first offense and 10 years for repeat offenses).

2. Production, publication, sale, financing of Child Pornography 18.2-374.1.

It is important to note that the ages of the alleged perpetrator and victim at the time of the offense assists judges when determining punishment.  There is a difference between a (45) forty-five-year-old man and a nineteen-year-old young adult looking at minors in a sexual manner.

3. Distribution of Child Pornography:

Many suspects are caught who are members of peer-to-peer networks.   You may think that you are hidden from site, but law enforcement is able to to secure information through tips and technology.

Sending or selling child pornography can result in 5 to 20 years in prison, depending on the case's specifics.

Is It Fair? The Problem with Internet-Based Stings

While designed to protect children, police sting operations can cross ethical lines, particularly when:

• Law Enforcement lures psychologically vulnerable individuals into conversations.
• The government persists after a suspect disengages.
• Police bait and provide unclear or deceptive information about the "victim's" age.

In many cases, the “victim” does not exist—it’s an officer pretending to be a minor. Without concrete proof (such as chat logs or voice recordings clearly stating the minor's age), prosecutors may still attempt to pursue charges based solely on perceived intent.

How Sheryl Shane Sex Crime Defense Lawyer Can Help

Being arrested after a sting operation can feel overwhelming, especially if you did not intend to commit a crime.  Virginia Criminal Attorney Sheryl Shane can provide critical support by:

• Gathering and Preserving evidence ASAP.  An arrest is a very stressful period.   People become frazzled and often forget what just transpired hours and days ago.  It is important to keep facts straight and retain details in your mind.  Review with Criminal Attorney Sheryl Shane immediately.  Every relevant fact matters.  
• Acting as your mouthpiece so your statements are not twisted and used in a negative slant against you in the future.
• Advising you of your Constitutional Rights.
• Educating you how to best assist in your defense.
• Advance planning for the long haul.  These cases can take a year or more to reach conclusion.

Helping With Bail/Bond

Criminal Attorney Sheryl Shane will advise you how to handle the initial intake at the police station or magistrate’s office.  If release is granted with a bond, she will help connect you with a reputable bondsman.  

If you are released on your own recognizance, great – she will explain the current situation and the next steps to be taken.

If the magistrate refuses release, she will note her appearance with the court and begin the process for a bond hearing, once retained.

Challenging the Charges

Attorney Sheryl Shane will research to discredit the facts and evidence.  She will prepare to litigate and negotiate.  She will work hard to make you feel more comfortable and at ease with the process.  Sex Crime Defense Attorney understands the bias and unfairness placed on the accused even prior to presenting their defense.

With the right legal strategy, it may be possible to get the charges reduced or dismissed entirely.

Contact a Sheryl Shane, the Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney in Northern Virginia

Not all sting operations are handled properly—and not all arrests lead to convictions. If you or a loved one was arrested in connection with an internet-based sex crime sting, you need a defense attorney who understands how these cases work and how to challenge them effectively.

Call Virginia Criminal Attorney today at (703) 582-8119 to schedule a confidential consultation. We serve clients in Fairfax and across all of Northern Virginia.  Sex Crime Defense Attorney Sheryl Shane is committed to fighting for justice on your behalf.

This blog on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice nor does it establish an attorney-client privilege relationship. Do not rely on information since it is an advertisement platform.