566.209. Trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation — penalty.
It’s illegal to use or move someone for sex work without their consent
This law makes it a serious crime to force, trick, or pressure someone into sexual acts or performances for money. It also punishes anyone who helps with or profits from this kind of activity.
1. A person breaks this law if they knowingly do any of the following to another person without their consent, especially through force, threats, lies, or pressure:
- Recruit or try to attract them,
- Hide or transport them,
- Provide or advertise them for sex-related acts, or
- Get them involved in commercial sex, sexual conduct, sexual performances, or making explicit sexual content.
This also applies to anyone who benefits—by money or anything else—from these actions.
2. This crime is a felony. The punishment depends on how it was done:
- If it did not involve force, abduction, or coercion: 5–20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
- If it involved force, abduction, or coercion: 10 years to life in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
Contact Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
