Chat Room Conduct Involving a Minor

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Illinois

WARNING=MAYBE GRAPHIC

My best friend (X)came to me worried. He's a great guy, nice personality. He visits gay chat sites not very often, to find someone to "relieve himself" with. (he says it helps him feel less guilty about it). he was approached by a 14 year old guy from California and they briefly talked about masturbation, nothing too graphic, my friend said. X said to me that he was uncomfortable through out the entire chat, but the kid kept begging him to stay on. It didn't really escalate to anything more sexual, but the kid gave him his number, so they could "relieve" themselves over the phone. He called from a blocked number the kid answered, X told me that he became so overwhelmed with disgust of what he was doing, knowing it was wrong and immediately hung up the phone, got off-line and threw-up in disgust (according to him). He calls me shortly thereafter and tells me what he did. I said I would try to find out if he is in trouble. Now he is paranoid that he was on the chat room with an Undercover and is afraid of getting arrested and being labeled a sex offender for the rest of his life. Should he have a legitimate concern? Oh, and by the way, my friend is 20.

Thank You,
X's Friend

Well he could be, forensic cops can and have traced calls from blocked numbers before. But, the 14 year old would of had to be an undercover cop, or working with one, which I doubt. Your friend committed a felony just by phoning the kid after already having chatted in a sexual nature. It is illegal to have sex chat with a minor.

But in reality, your friend probably dodged a bullet. But I assure you, he will get caught if he keeps it up. The chat rooms are full of undercover officers doing stings to protect the children from people just like your friend. And in reality, depending on the laws in your state, covering up a sex offense could be a crime. So a long talk with your friend needs to be done.

Thanks, I told him what you told me, he's still paranoid that it was a cop. He says that he could have an entrapment defense because He was contacted in an Adult Gay Chat room, and the Kid was persistent and gave him his number. Is he correct or full of it?

It doesn't matter if the site is for adults. Your friend had the knowledge it was a 14 year old.

It would not matter if Little Johnny claimed to be 18, and is in reality 14.
The fact would still remain that Little Johnny is 14. And gay/straight does not matter. If a 20-year old man was cybering with a 14-year old girl, it would still be illegal.

Persistence is not an excuse. Your friend could be persistent in telling Little Johnny he will not talk to him and then hit the IGNORE/BLOCK THIS PERSON button.

The fact with the internet is it is easy for someone to hide behind a fake name and lie about their age, etc. Which makes it easy for people like your friend to get in trouble. Unless it's a Pay to Play site, with credit card payment only, many sites just ask your birthdate and have no way to verify it.

Tell your friend to buy a few porns, whack it in private and not with a stranger on the internet...unless he would like to be arrested and spend the rest of his life on the sex offender registry.

Oh, and what should he do now? Should he go to the police? he's just sitting at home paranoid, does he just have to wait it out and see?

There is no guarantee he will be busted. He should go about his life, and just be more cautious on the internet.

He can look up pics of nude men to whack off to. He can buy a few porns or magazines to relieve himself with. But talking sex on line with someone can be big trouble for him.

Ok, Thank you. I had a long Talk with him. He promised me he would never ever do that again. I believe him 100%. I pray to god that it wasn't an Undercover. He made a single mistake, and now he might be penalized for his entire life.

Have you considered the possibility that he wants you to try to help?

Call the police. Report it.

Help him get it.

hey dog, you must be from FA. I think I have to. He needs help. I feel bad for his family though. They will be very embarrassed.

Quote:

---

Quoting Advic09

---

hey dog, you must be from FA. I think I have to. He needs help. I feel bad for his family though. They will be very embarrassed.

---

Embarrassment should be the least of their worries:rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Quoting Antigone

---

Embarrassment should be the least of their worries:rolleyes:

---

No kidding, Tigi...no kidding!

Quote:

---

Quoting Advic09

---

Oh, and what should he do now? Should he go to the police? he's just sitting at home paranoid, does he just have to wait it out and see?

---

If he goes to the police, he may start an investigation where there was none before. I would let sleeping dogs lie.

Quote:

---

Quoting Advic09

---

hey dog, you must be from FA. I think I have to. He needs help. I feel bad for his family though. They will be very embarrassed.

---

And you think that ruining his future will be beneficial to him? If you really want to help. Tell him to get rid of his computer.