COLUMBUS – Someone convicted of soliciting a child for sex over the internet in Ohio was expected to go to prison but it doesn’t always work out that way, so two lawmakers are seeking to tighten the state’s sentencing requirements.
Legislation introduced Wednesday by Representatives Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) and Kent Smith (D-Euclid) mandates prison sentences for criminals convicted of the crime of importuning.
“By failing to put importuning offenders in prison, they often end up back on the internet using the same tactics again,” Schaffer said. “I believe having stronger penalties for importuning will not only keep offenders off our streets and computer screens, but also have a significant deterring effect on predators in our communities.”
Schaffer described the measure as the result of over a decade of work to update state law.
Under current law, the “presumption” of a prison sentence is required when an offender is convicted but Schaffer and Smith say reports analyzing sentencing data found that about 70 percent of convictions resulted in the offender serving no prison time, often only receiving probation.
Under their legislation, anyone convicted of importuning would face at least a six-month minimum prison sentence with a possible sentence of up to three years for someone convicted of importuning a child under the age of 13, which would be a third degree felony.
Importuning a child between 13 and 16 would be a fifth degree felony on the first offense, resulting in a 6-to-12 month sentence if the offender is 10 or more years older than the victim. Repeat offenders would receive mandatory one-year terms.
This legislation is expected to receive committee hearings when the General Assembly returns for its fall legislative session in September, Schaffer said.