Ohio’s New Importuning Law Includes Mandatory Prison Time

Top Rated Importuning and Sex Crimes Defense Attorney in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

The crime of soliciting a minor for sex, or importuning, is a felony in Ohio. As of April 2023, an importuning conviction can result in mandatory prison time as well as hefty fines and years as a registered sex offender. In Ohio, these charges very commonly result after the government conducts a sting operation. While a wide range of conduct can lead to an importuning charge, Brad Wolfe Law, L.L.C. most frequently sees these charges involve messaging with minors via text and email, online chatrooms, and social media.

What is Importuning in Ohio?

The crime of importuning is soliciting or attempting to solicit someone underage to engage in sexual activity. This can include pressuring, enticing, or coercing a minor to engage in sex acts, sending nude or semi-nude pictures and videos, and engaging in sexually explicit messaging.

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When is Importuning Charged in Ohio?

Under Ohio Revised Code 2907.07, someone can be charged with importuning if they engage in the following conduct:

– Soliciting someone who is under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity;

– Soliciting someone between the ages of 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity when the offender is 18 years of age or older and at least four years older than the victim;

– Soliciting someone between the ages of 16 and 17 to engage in sexual contact, when the offender is 18 years of age or older and at least four years older than the victim; and,

– Soliciting someone under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity when the victim is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition.

Someone can also be charged with importuning for soliciting sex from a law enforcement officer posing as a minor under the age of 13, or when an officer is posing as a minor between the ages of 13 and 15 and the offender is at least four years older than the age the officer is purporting to be.

What are the Penalties for Importuning in Ohio?

In Ohio, importuning is a felony offense, and can be charged as a second, third, fourth, or fifth degree felony. The felony degree depends on the circumstances of the parties involved, the severity of the conduct, and whether one has previously been convicted of a sex crime or crime involving a child-victim. A conviction can now result in mandatory prison time, as well as probation, thousands of dollars in fines, court ordered rehabilitative treatment, and sex offender registration.

Will I have to Register as a Sex Offender?

If convicted, yes. Anyone convicted under Ohio’s importuning statute is required to register as a Tier 1 sex offender.

You’re Charged with Importuning – Now What?

If you’re facing accusations of a sex crime, you’re no doubt overwhelmed and filled with uncertainty. Importuning is a serious charge that jeopardizes one’s freedom and can have a devastating and lasting impact on their future. An experienced criminal defense attorney can evaluate your case and determine how to challenge the validity of the prosecution’s claims and begin to implement a mitigative, treatment-based approach.

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Brad Wolfe Law, L.L.C., handles serious felonies, misdemeanors, and pre-charge investigations in federal, state, municipal, and juvenile courts across Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Attorney Brad Wolfe believes that each case deserves powerful and creative advocacy and that every client be afforded their constitutional right to fairness, as well as superior levels of communication and compassion during all stages of their matter. If you have been charged with a crime, or are under investigation, call Brad today at (216) 815-6000.