Use of interstate facilities to transmit information about a minor
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, using the mail or any facility or means of , or within the , knowingly initiates the transmission of the name, address, telephone number, social security number, or electronic mail address of another individual, knowing that such other individual has not attained the age of 16 years, with the intent to entice, encourage, offer, or solicit any person to engage in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or to do so, shall be , imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
History: (Added Pub. L. 105–314, title I, §101(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2975.)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to use the mail, the internet, phone, or other interstate means to knowingly send out the name, address, phone number, Social Security number, or email address of a child under 16, intending to get someone to engage in illegal sexual activity. Attempting to do this is also a crime.