Internet use for unlawful sexual conduct

Broward Sheriff’s Office recently announced that a high school teacher was arrested after having used technology to solicit sex from multiple students. This offense falls under unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices

A Case study from Broward County

According to BSO, Stevie Glasspool, 31, abused her position as a teacher when she used Facebook to solicit sex from at least four victims at Mavericks Charter High School in Pompano Beach. The victims of Glasspool were believed to be ranged between 15 and 17.

She invited the young students to sleepover at her home in Boca Raton and offered them marijuana as an added incentive. Glasspool was arrested and charged with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices.

What is Considered as Unlawful Sexual Conduct using the Internet or Computer?

In this context, our criminal defense team in Fort Lauderdale wants to present a short overview regarding the seriousness of this type of charges, This crime is defined in Florida as the use of online service, internet service, or electronic device capable of data storage or transmission to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a person believed to be a minor child to engage in unlawful sexual conduct.

Penalty for Unlawful Sexual Conduct using the Internet or Computer

According to Florida regulations, soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices is classified as a third-degree felony and is assigned a Level 7 offense severity ranking under Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code.

If convicted of this charge, a judge is required to impose a minimum prison sentence of 21 months in prison and can also impose any combination of the following penalties:

• Up to five years in prison,
• Up to five years of sex offender probation,
• Up to $5,000 in fines.

Moreover, in this type of crime, each separate use of a computer, online service, Internet service, or electronic device can be charged as a separate criminal offense, which can significantly increase the severity of the penalties.

What do you do when charged?

If you get involved in such a case, use an experienced criminal defense lawyer, such as our criminal defense team that can provide you legal counseling and representation in Court.