C.G.S. § 53a-90a – Enticing a Minor

Under Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-90a, it is a felony to use the Internet, a phone, text messages, social-media platforms, or any other electronic device to entice, recruit, solicit, or lure a person under sixteen to engage in sexual activity or indecent contact.

Police and prosecutors treat these cases very seriously, and many begin as online sting operations in which an undercover officer poses as a minor. Even when no real child is involved, the law allows prosecution if the accused believed they were communicating with someone under sixteen.

To prove a violation of § 53a-90a, the State must establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:

1. Used an electronic or interactive device such as a computer, phone, or social-media app;
2. Knowingly enticed, solicited, recruited, or lured another person to engage in sexual activity; and
3. Believed the other person was under sixteen years old, or the person actually was under sixteen.

It is not a defense that the “minor” was an undercover police officer.

For most cases of Enticing a Minor under § 53a-90a, the offense is a Class B felony.
A Class B felony is punishable by one to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

If the alleged minor is under thirteen years old, the offense becomes a Class A felony, punishable by ten to twenty-five years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.

In addition to incarceration and fines, a conviction can also lead to:

• Mandatory sex-offender registration lasting from ten years to life;
• Strict computer and Internet-use restrictions during probation or parole;
• Electronic monitoring and unannounced searches of digital devices; and
• Severe collateral consequences, including job loss, professional-license suspension, and housing restrictions.

Every case is fact-specific, but common defenses include:

• Lack of intent or mistaken age: The accused reasonably believed the other person was over sixteen.
• Entrapment: Law enforcement pressured or induced conduct that otherwise would not have occurred.
• No sexual intent: Messages or chats never contained a genuine plan to meet or engage in sexual acts.
• Illegal search or seizure: Digital evidence may have been collected without a valid warrant.
• Insufficient proof: Screenshots and chat transcripts can be incomplete, altered, or taken out of context.

An experienced defense lawyer can examine the digital forensics, subpoena service providers, and challenge how the evidence was obtained.

A conviction under § 53a-90a carries lifetime stigma. It can trigger sex-offender registration, permanent Internet restrictions, federal investigation exposure, and severe limits on employment, housing, and travel. Because the stakes are so high, prompt representation is essential.

• C.G.S. § 53a-90b – Misrepresentation of Age to Entice a MinorMakes it a Class C felony to lie about one’s age while attempting to entice a minor.
• C.G.S. § 53-21 – Risk of Injury to a Minor
  A broad child-endangerment law frequently added to online or solicitation cases involving minors.
• C.G.S. § 53a-70 – Sexual Assault in the First Degree
  Covers cases involving actual sexual contact or attempted contact with force or coercion.
• C.G.S. § 53a-71 – Sexual Assault in the Second Degree
  Applies when the alleged victim is under the age of consent or unable to consent.
• C.G.S. § 53a-72a / § 53a-72b – Sexual Assault in the Third Degree / With a Firearm
  Related contact-based sexual-assault offenses that may appear as alternative or companion charges.
• C.G.S. §§ 53a-196a through 53a-196h – Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenses
  Includes possession, importation, and distribution of child-pornography materials investigated alongside enticing-a-minor cases.
C.G.S. § 53a-182b – Harassment in the First Degree

Covers electronic or computer-based harassment and can arise in similar digital-communication investigations.

If you or someone you love has been charged under C.G.S. § 53a-90a for Enticing a Minor, speak with a lawyer immediately—before talking to investigators or consenting to a device search.

Call sex crimes lawyer Allan F. Friedman, Criminal Lawyer, at (203) 357-5555 for a confidential consultation, or visit our contact page to schedule your case review today.