The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) closing a loophole in state law that has allowed sexual predators to escape prosecution on a technicality.  The bill adds wording to Tennessee law to ensure that law enforcement posing as minors can be used to prosecute cases where sexual predators use electronic means to solicit those under the age of 18.
“Law enforcement should have the ability to conduct an operation to catch sexual predators who prey on Tennessee children,” said Senator Overbey.  “This bill closes the loophole in state law to ensure these predators are prosecuted regardless of the mode of communication they use to solicit a child.”
Currently it is a Class E felony for a person, 18 years of age or older, to intentionally persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity by electronic communication, mail or Internet service, or to display pornographic material through these means.  If the minor is less than 13 years of age, a violation is a Class C felony.
“Our laws must keep up with the new technology used by sexual predators every day in America to victimize children,” added Overbey.  “This legislation closes the loophole so our law enforcement officers can successfully prosecute offenders of this terrible crime.”

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