Texas Online Solicitation of a Minor Defense Lawyers

Online solicitation of a minor is one of the fastest-growing categories of sex crime prosecution in Texas. Law enforcement agencies across the state conduct aggressive internet sting operations, posing as minors on dating apps, social media platforms, and chat rooms to identify adults seeking sexual contact with children. These operations produce hundreds of arrests each year and the penalties are severe, ranging from 2 years to life in prison depending on the specific charge.

At Deandra Grant Law, Attorney Douglas Huff defends clients against online solicitation charges. Doug understands the technology, the law enforcement tactics, and the specific legal and constitutional issues these cases raise.

What Is Online Solicitation of a Minor?

Texas Penal Code §33.021 makes it a crime for a person 17 years of age or older to intentionally or knowingly communicate in a sexually explicit manner with a minor, or to distribute sexually explicit material to a minor, by means of the internet, text message, or any other electronic messaging service.

The statute creates several distinct offenses with dramatically different penalties:

Sexually Explicit Communication with a Minor Under 17

• Third-degree felony
• 2 to 10 years in prison
• Fine of up to $10,000
• Sex offender registration

Solicitation to Meet a Minor Under 17 for Sexual Contact

• Second-degree felony
• 2 to 20 years in prison
• Fine of up to $10,000
• Sex offender registration

Solicitation to Meet a Minor Under 14 for Sexual Contact

• First-degree felony
• 5 to 99 years or life in prison
• Fine of up to $10,000
• Lifetime sex offender registration

Sting Operations: How They Work

The majority of online solicitation arrests in Texas result from law enforcement sting operations. Undercover officers create profiles on dating apps, social media platforms, websites, and chat rooms posing as minors. They engage in conversations with adults, and if the conversation turns sexual or the adult agrees to meet for sexual purposes, an arrest is made, often when the individual arrives at the arranged meeting location.

It is important to understand: the “minor” in these cases is not a real child. The person on the other end of the conversation is a law enforcement officer or civilian operative working under law enforcement direction. Texas courts have consistently upheld convictions in sting cases, holding that the defendant’s belief that they were communicating with a minor is sufficient, regardless of the actual identity of the other party.

Facing this charge locally? Our Dallas sex crimes lawyer and Fort Worth sex crimes lawyer pages explain how we defend it in the county courts.