Sexual abuse cases, especially those involving allegations of child molestation, are perhaps the most inflammatory crimes in our society. Indeed, perhaps no other crime provokes a more hostile response in the community.
Chapter 109A of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. §2241, et. seq., sets forth several offenses relating to sexual abuse occurring within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Chapter 10 of Title 18 establishes four federal sex offenses: (1) 18 U.S.C. §2241 -aggravated sexual abuse; (2) 18 U.S.C. §2242 - sexual abuse; (3) 18 U.S.C. §2243 - sexual abuse of a minor or ward; and (4) 18 U.S.C. §2244 - abusive sexual contact.
Importantly, the penalties for a "sexual act" are far more significant than those for "sexual contact." Aggravated sexual abuse constitutes the most serious of the offenses found in Chapter 109A. The statute establishes a maximum penalty of life imprisonment where a person causes another person to engage in a "sexual act" under one of three circumstances: (a) by force or threat; (b) by other means; or (c) with children.
Contact Vladimir Gagic at his Phoenix office today.
