Nevada senator wants stiffer penalties for soliciting sex on children under 14

Members of the assembly file out of chambers during the second day of the Nevada Legislative session on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, at the Legislative Building, in Carson City. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

CARSON CITY — Predators who try to solicit children under the age of 14 for sex could be charged with trafficking, under a bill in the Nevada Legislature.

Someone convicted of the offense would face a prison term of 15 years to life. Supporters of Senate Bill 214 say the tough penalty is needed to fight the scourge of human trafficking.

“It’s a much stiffer penalty, but again these children are under the age of 14,” bill sponsor Sen. Heidi Gansert, R-Reno, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

Under existing law, the punishment escalates for second and third offense and starts with a class E felony, which carries one to four years in prison.

Representatives for the Clark and Washoe county public defenders offices raised concerns, saying a defendant’s intent to commit a crime includes knowing the facts that make the conduct illegal. Under that principle, the bill does not account for situations like a defendant making a reasonable mistake in age and intending to commit a lesser crime of soliciting, they said.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-0661. Follow @BenBotkin1 on Twitter.