18 U.S.C. § 2423 – Transportation of minors for illicit sexual conduct
§ 2423 makes it a federal crime to transport, travel, or arrange travel involving minors for illegal sexual activity—both inside and outside the United States.
Section 2423 is one of the federal government’s primary tools for prosecuting sex crimes involving minors. It covers not only transporting a minor, but also traveling yourself, arranging travel, or engaging in illegal sexual conduct abroad.
What the law prohibits.
A person violates this statute if they knowingly:
- Transport a minor across state lines or internationally with intent that the minor engage in prostitution or any criminal sexual activity.
- Travel across state lines or into the United States with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
- Engage in illicit sexual conduct abroad as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, even if the conduct occurs entirely outside the United States.
- Use an organization or business that affects interstate or foreign commerce to further illicit sexual conduct.
- Arrange, induce, procure, or facilitate travel for another person to engage in illicit sexual conduct, especially for financial gain.
- Attempt or conspire to commit any of the above acts.
What counts as “illicit sexual conduct.”
The statute defines illicit sexual conduct to include:
- Sexual acts with a person under 18 that would be illegal under federal law,
- Commercial sex acts involving a minor, or
- The production of child pornography.
Key point.
For many charges under this statute, the crime is complete based on intent and travel alone. Actual sexual contact does not always need to occur for charges to be filed.
Penalties.
Violations of § 2423 carry severe federal penalties, including:
- Mandatory minimums for transporting minors,
- Up to 30 years in federal prison for many offenses, and
- Possible life imprisonment in the most serious cases.
If you’re being investigated for a federal sex offense involving travel or minors, call (314) 900-HELP or contact our criminal defense attorneys to discuss your situation.
