• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / Attorney General urges tougher penalties for internet predators

Attorney General urges tougher penalties for internet predators

June 12, 2009 By admin

Attorney Genearl Tom Miller (file photo) Iowa’s attorney general is urging state lawmakers to adopt tougher penalties for internet predators who target kids.

Tom Miller has twice introduced legislation that makes it a felony to sexually solicit a minor on-line.

Miller warned a legislative committee Thursday that on-line solicitation is on the rise, but the penalty is so lax that law enforcement agencies hesitate to invest the manpower to catch the predators.

"Among the leaders in this have been Black Hawk County, the sheriff’s office and other enforcement agencies. They were getting about six charges every three months," Miller said. "But when it could only be a misdemeanor, in terms of their resources, they’ve cut back. So we really need that change."

Currently, when an undercover decoy poses as a minor on-line, the solicitor can only be charged with attempted enticement. That’s an aggravated misdemeanor which can result in jail time but no prison term. Miller says it should be a felony. "I think in most states it is a felony and it really needs to be," Miller said.

"It’s a serious attempt to try and harm a young person." The state public defender’s office and American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa have objected to increasing the penalty, arguing it could lead to entrapment. 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts Tagged With: Internet

Featured Stories

Governor signs child care expansion into law

Iowa seniors have until July 1 to apply for new property tax break

Smoke from distant fires creates colorful sunrise in Iowa

DOT’s Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division to merge into State Patrol

Iowa’s governor approves liability limits for trucking industry

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Iowa AD Gary Barta announces retirement

Iowa to visit Creighton in Gavitt Tipoff Games

Iowa and Indiana collide Thursday at B1G baseball tournament

Former Hawkeye joins Lisa Bluder’s staff at Iowa

Iowa rolls in B1G Tournament opener

More Sports

Archives

Copyright © 2023 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC