Police Can Pose as Children to Gather Evidence of Intent in Child Sex Cases

In the age of the internet, policing has evolved, and the court system has allowed police to engage in increasingly surreptitious investigations designed to trap those who seek to carry on relationships with minors over the internet and in person. These investigations are conducted mostly pursuant to what police believe they are entitled to do. In fact, police are under no obligation in the majority of situations to identify themselves as police. That is exactly how one former Michigan man found himself charged with attempting to coerce or entice a minor in sexual activity.

According to a recent news report, a former Michigan man was sentenced to 10 years in jail for traveling to Florida with the intention of having sexual relations with a “minor” whom he had met over the internet. In reality, the minor was an undercover police officer who was posing as a minor in an effort to trap the unsuspecting man.

Evidently, the 51-year-old Ann Arbor man was an assistant professor at the University of Michigan prior to his arrest. However, he will now be required to serve a 10-year jail sentence as well as be required to register as a sex offender.

Registration Requirements in Michigan

If someone is convicted of certain sex offenses, regardless of the age of the other party involved, they may be required to register as a “sex offender” for the rest of their life. The registration requirement is extremely burdensome, and depending on the specifics of the conviction, it may require frequent in-person visits. In addition, any time an address or place of employment is changed, the registrant must let the authorities know.

A failure to comply with the registration requirements in Michigan can give rise to a new criminal offense that can be punished even more heavily than the original offense. In some cases, defendants have received what amounts to an effective life sentence because of their failure to comply with registration requirements.

The bottom line is that Michigan courts take sex offenses extremely seriously, and anyone charged with a sex offense – even if it seems as though it lacks all merit – should take it seriously from the moment they receive notice. A skilled Michigan criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the veritable mine field that is the criminal justice system and ensure that your rights are not infringed in the process.

Have You Been Arrested for a Michigan Sex Offense?

If you have recently been arrested for a Michigan sex offense or have reason to believe that you are being investigated, you should seek the counsel of Attorney Steven Schwartz as soon as possible. Attorney Schwartz has decades of experience representing clients in all kinds of serious criminal matters, including sex offenses. He understands what “innocent until proven guilty” means, and he insists that his clients be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. Call (240) 930-5019 to set up a free consultation today.

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• The True Cost of a Drunk Driving Conviction in Michigan, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published February 29, 2016.
• Michigan State Police Gearing Up for Busy St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published March 18, 2016.