September 11, 2025 | Criminal Law, Sex Crimes

What Is Online Solicitation of a Minor?

Being accused of a sex crime in Ohio is life-altering. Among the most serious charges is online solicitation of a minor, a crime that can carry long prison terms and lasting personal consequences that may include sex offender registration.

Many people misunderstand how broad this law really is. In some cases, the accused can still be convicted even if they never actually meet or touch a minor. Knowing how the law defines solicitation and what prosecutors must prove is critical if you or a loved one is facing this type of allegation.

How Ohio Law Defines Online Solicitation

Ohio law criminalizes using the internet, text messaging, social media, or any electronic communication to solicit, entice, or encourage someone under 18 to engage in sexual activity. 

The law can still apply even if:

  • No sexual contact takes place
  • The meeting never occurs
  • The person on the other end is actually an undercover officer rather than a minor

Sting operations are common in these cases. Police may pose as underage individuals online, and if an adult engages in sexual conversations or tries to arrange a meeting, that can be enough to bring charges.

Penalties for Online Solicitation in Ohio

The consequences depend on the facts of the case, including the age of the alleged victim. In general:

  • Online solicitation of a minor is charged as a felony in Ohio
  • The younger the child involved, the more severe the potential punishment
  • Convictions can result in years in prison, large fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender

For example, soliciting someone under 16 is punished more harshly than soliciting someone who is 17. If the alleged victim is under 13, penalties can increase dramatically. 

These laws reflect the state’s interest in protecting children, but they also mean that even first-time offenders can face devastating sentences.

What Prosecutors Must Prove

To convict someone of online solicitation, the prosecution has to establish certain elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

  • The defendant knowingly used electronic communication
  • The communication was directed toward a person under 18, or someone the defendant believed to be under 18
  • The purpose was to solicit, entice, or encourage sexual activity

Importantly, the intent of the accused matters as much as the action. If the prosecution can’t provide enough evidence to support each of these elements, their case may not succeed. 

Possible Defenses to Online Solicitation of a Minor Charges

Facing this kind of charge can feel hopeless, but there are many legal defenses that may apply depending on the circumstances:

  • Lack of intent: If the communications did not clearly show a sexual purpose, prosecutors may struggle to prove their case.
  • Mistaken age: In some situations, the defendant may reasonably have believed the other person was an adult.
  • Entrapment: If law enforcement induced or pressured someone into committing the act, entrapment may apply.
  • Insufficient evidence: Weak or unreliable electronic evidence may not hold up in court.

Your defense attorney will examine the evidence against you carefully and formulate a plan of action based on the unique facts and circumstances of your situation. 

Online solicitation of a minor in Ohio is a serious felony offense with long-term consequences. Prosecutors do not need physical contact to secure a conviction, and online conversations alone can still lead to charges.

If you or someone you know is facing this accusation, acting fast is important. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney with Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers today for a consultation. 

For more information, contact the sex crimes attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers give us a call today at (513) 333-0014 or visit us at our Cincinnati Law Office.

Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers – Cincinnati

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