Sex with a Minor Defense Attorney in Columbus, Ohio

Sex Offenses Against Minors in Columbus, Ohio

A number of different charges constitute sex offenses against minors under Ohio law. Accusations involving minors are uniquely complex and high-stakes. Investigations often include digital forensics, undercover work, and parallel agency or campus involvement.

Early legal representation from an experienced sex crime defense attorney is critical to protect your rights, manage statements, and preserve exculpatory evidence. If you’re contacted by Columbus Police, a school resource officer, or a state task force, call (614) 500-3836 before you speak to anyone. An experienced defense lawyer can explain your rights, options, and guide you through the best way to handle the situation, clear up any misunderstandings, or otherwise protect you from damaging accusations with incredibly harsh penalties if convicted.

Pandering Material Involving a Nude Minor (Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material)

In Columbus, you may be charged if the State alleges you created, consented to, possessed, or viewed material depicting a nude minor without a lawful purpose. Prosecutors frequently pair this with digital evidence (cloud accounts, phones, messaging apps) and, in some cases, related charges such as child pornography or disseminating matter harmful to minors.

Conduct that may trigger a charge includes:

• Taking or causing the creation of nude images or performances of a minor who is not your child, unless the material has a proven artistic, medical, scientific, educational, religious, governmental, judicial, or other proper purpose certified by a qualified professional (e.g., physician, psychologist, teacher, librarian, clergy, prosecutor, judge, or other person with a proper interest), and the minor’s parent/guardian/custodian provides written consent.
• As a parent/guardian, consenting to or personally creating nude images/performances of the minor without a certified proper purpose.
• Possessing or viewing nude images of a minor who is not your child unless there is a certified proper purpose or documented written consent from a parent/guardian/custodian.

Digital “possession” can be alleged even if files are auto-synced or cached. We scrutinize search warrants, device extractions, metadata, and chain of custody to challenge whether you “knowingly” possessed or viewed the material.

Importuning Charges

“Importuning” covers attempts to solicit sexual activity from minors—including online or via text. In Franklin County, these cases often arise from internet sex sting operations using undercover officers posing as minors on social platforms and messaging apps.

You can face importuning if any of the following is alleged:

• Attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child under 13 (knowledge of age is not a defense).
• If you are 18+, attempting to engage in sexual activity with a non-spouse aged 13–15 who is more than four years younger.
• If you are 18+, attempting to engage in sexual activity with a 16–17-year-old victim of human trafficking who is more than four years younger.
• Using electronic communications (text, instant messaging, social media, etc.) to solicit sexual activity when the “minor” is under 13, or an officer posing as such, and you believed (or failed to verify) their age.
• Using electronic communications to solicit sexual activity when the “minor” is 13–15 (or an officer posing as such), you are more than three years older, and you believed (or failed to verify) their age.

Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor

Often called “statutory” offenses, these charges allege sexual activity with a person aged 13–15 by an adult 18+. Penalties hinge on the age gap and priors. See our dedicated page on unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for elements, defenses, and tiering implications.

Engaging in sexual activity with a non-spouse aged 13–15 while 18+ and either knowing their age or failing to take reasonable steps to confirm it.

Gross Sexual Imposition of a Minor

Gross sexual imposition (GSI) involves sexual contact—touching for sexual arousal or abuse—rather than sexual conduct. When the alleged victim is young, penalties increase and proof standards shift. Review our gross sexual imposition page for deeper analysis.

• Sexual contact with a non-spouse under 13 (or causing such contact), or
• Touching the genitals of a child under 12 (clothing not covering), for the purpose of arousal/gratification or to abuse, humiliate, harass, or degrade.

Our attoneys will analyze timing, opportunity, prior statements, medical findings, and expert testimony. In child cases, forensic interviewing protocols and suggestibility/contamination concerns are often central.

Minor Related Sex Offense Charges

• Disseminating Matter Harmful to Minors – distribution or display of explicit content to minors.
• Child Pornography – possession, creation, or distribution of sexually explicit content involving minors.
• Prostitution & Soliciting – can appear in sting contexts with overlapping chats or surveillance.

Child Sex Crime Penalties & Collateral Consequences

Penalties vary by offense level, specifications, age gaps, and priors. In general, Ohio sentences for sex offenses against minors range from F5 (6–12 months) to F1 (3–11 years), with certain specifications elevating exposure to 10 years to life or life without parole.

Pandering Material Involving a Nude Minor

• Creating/consenting without proper purpose: F2; 2–8 years; $7,500–$15,000; Tier II registration (report every 180 days for 25 years, no community notification).
• With human trafficking spec: F2; mandatory 3–8 years; $7,500–$15,000; Tier II registration.
• Possessing/viewing (no proper purpose/unknown consent): F5; 6–12 months (possible community control); up to $2,500; typically Tier I registration (annual for 15 years).
• With prior similar offense: F4; 6–18 months; up to $5,000; registration may escalate depending on the prior.

Importuning

• Soliciting 13–15 (including online): F5; 6–12 months (possible community control); up to $2,500; Tier I registration typical.
• Second or subsequent sex/child-victim offense: F4; 6–18 months; up to $5,000; registration may escalate.
• Soliciting under 13 (including decoy): F3; 9–36 months; $5,000–$10,000; registration consequences apply.
• With relevant priors (under-13 solicitation): F2; mandatory 2–8 years; $7,500–$15,000; higher tiering possible.

Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor

• Age gap 4–9 years: F4; 6–18 months; up to $5,000; Tier II registration common.
• Age gap ≥10 years: F3; 9–36 months; $5,000–$10,000; Tier II registration common.
• Less than 4-year gap: M1; up to 180 days jail; up to $1,000; Tier I registration possible.
• With specified prior (e.g., rape/sexual battery): F2; 2–8 years; $7,500–$15,000; Tier III in some circumstances.

Gross Sexual Imposition of a Minor

• General (child victim): F3; 9–36 months (mandatory in certain corroborated/prior-offense scenarios); $5,000–$10,000; Tier II registration typical.

Sex Offender Registration for Child Sex Crimes

Post-conviction, tier placement controls frequency and duration of reporting and whether community notification applies. See our detailed sex offender registration guide for timelines, address changes, travel limits, and compliance in Franklin County.

Child Sex Offense Defenses & Next Steps in Franklin County

Our Columbus defense team focuses on constitutional challenges (search/seizure, warrants, interrogations), digital forensics (device imaging, metadata, cloud records), credibility analysis (inconsistencies, motive to fabricate), and expert issues (DNA, SANE exams, child forensic interviews). Where appropriate, we pursue pretrial motions to suppress or exclude evidence, negotiate for dismissals or reductions, or prepare for trial. We also counsel clients on collateral issues, including immigration, employment, and campus proceedings.

Do not discuss your case with police, school officials, or potential witnesses without counsel. Preserve devices and accounts, avoid deleting content, and document timelines. If your case touches on online conduct, review our pages on internet stings, harmful matter to minors, and prostitution/soliciting for additional context.

Ohio Child Sex Crime Resources

• Ohio Revised Code 2907.323 – Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance

Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Offenses Against Minors in Columbus

Can I be charged if I didn’t know the person was underage?

Yes. Under Ohio law, lack of knowledge of a minor’s age is generally not a defense to charges like unlawful sexual conduct with a minor or importuning. Prosecutors only need to show the alleged victim’s actual age. Defense strategies instead focus on evidence, procedure, and whether the State can prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

What if the “minor” I was talking to online was actually an undercover police officer?

You can still face charges. In Columbus, many importuning and internet sting cases involve law enforcement officers posing as minors. Even if no actual child was involved, prosecutors argue that your belief or intent was enough. Defenses may include entrapment, lack of intent, or ambiguous communication.

Do all sex offenses against minors require sex offender registration?

Most do. Conviction usually results in classification into Tier I, II, or III, depending on the severity of the offense. Registration can last 15 years, 25 years, or life, and Tier III typically includes community notification.

What is the difference between “pandering nudity” and child pornography?

Pandering material involving a nude minor often involves images of a minor in a state of nudity without sexual activity, while child pornography typically refers to sexually explicit conduct. Both are felony charges under Ohio law, and penalties may overlap. Prosecutors frequently charge both offenses if digital evidence supports it.

Can texting or sexting with a minor result in criminal charges?

Yes. Sending or requesting explicit photos, even without physical contact, can lead to charges such as importuning, disseminating matter harmful to minors, or pandering obscenity. In Franklin County, prosecutors aggressively pursue digital evidence from phones and social media accounts in these cases.

How can a lawyer defend me if there’s digital evidence against me?

Defending digital evidence cases involves challenging how police obtained the evidence (search warrants, subpoenas, or consent), whether the chain of custody was followed, and whether the evidence truly proves the required elements. Metadata, timestamps, and device access are key areas where errors can create reasonable doubt.

What happens if I’m convicted of a sex offense against a minor in Columbus?

Convictions carry severe penalties, including prison terms, fines, and mandatory sex offender registration. Collateral consequences include loss of employment opportunities, restricted housing options, and social stigma. A skilled defense lawyer may be able to reduce charges, negotiate alternatives, or challenge the admissibility of critical evidence.

Are plea deals possible in sex offense cases involving minors?

Yes, plea agreements are sometimes reached, especially if evidentiary challenges weaken the prosecution’s case. Negotiations may result in reduced charges, such as sexual battery or lesser felonies, which can impact sentencing and registration requirements. Outcomes depend heavily on case facts and Franklin County court practices.

What should I do if police want to question me about an allegation?

Do not speak to law enforcement without an attorney. Even casual conversations can be used against you. Politely assert your right to remain silent and request legal representation immediately. Our attorneys regularly intervene during sex crime investigations to protect clients from self-incrimination.

Can allegations be false or fabricated in these cases?

Yes, false allegations happen. They may stem from custody disputes, misunderstandings, or malicious intent. Defense strategies often involve cross-examining credibility, analyzing inconsistencies in statements, reviewing digital and physical evidence, and presenting alternative explanations to create reasonable doubt.

Facing Allegations? Talk to a Columbus Sex Crimes Lawyer Today.

If you’ve been charged—or are under investigation for a sex offense involving a minor, get experienced help now. The Columbus defense attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates represent clients across Franklin County and surrounding courts. Call (614) 500-3836 or contact LHA for a free and confidential consultation.