Minnesota Internet Sex Crime Defense
An internet sex crime accusation moves fast and hits hard. Phones and computers get seized, and people often feel judged before they have said a word. If you are facing one of these charges in Minnesota, you have the right to a defense, and you have the right to stay silent until you have a lawyer. We answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
At Lundgren & Johnson, PSC, we defend people accused of online sexual offenses in Minneapolis and across the Twin Cities. This page covers the charges that happen online. For related cases, see our pages on computer crimes, child pornography, and Minnesota’s revenge porn law.
What to Do Right Now
- Stop talking to the police until you have a lawyer. You cannot talk your way out of an investigation, and what you say can be used against you.
- Do not contact the other person or anyone connected to the case.
- Call a defense lawyer, even if you have not been charged yet.
What Counts as an Internet Sex Crime
These are offenses that happen through a phone, computer, app, or social media. Common examples include:
- Online solicitation of a minor, charged under Minnesota Statutes section 609.352.
- Sextortion, where someone is accused of threatening to share private images.
- “Sting” or decoy cases, where the person on the other end was actually an officer.
- Image-based offenses that overlap with our revenge porn and child pornography pages.
How a “Sting” Case Actually Works
In a decoy sting, an officer poses as someone online and steers the chat. The state then points to the messages as proof of intent. These cases are not automatic wins for the prosecution. The defense looks at who first raised the subject, how the conversation was shaped, and whether the messages show a real plan or just talk. The full chat history usually matters more than any single line.
“It Was a Police Officer, Not a Real Minor.” Is That a Defense?
By itself, no. The solicitation statute says it is not a defense that an undercover officer was involved (section 609.352, subdivision 3(b)). That does not mean these cases can’t be defended. It means the defense focuses on intent, on what the messages really show, and on whether the police crossed a line.
Does a Mistake About Age Matter?
The statute says mistake of age is not a defense (section 609.352, subdivision 3(a)). Courts have recognized a narrow exception in one situation: where the other person said they were 16 or older, the contact happened only online, and there was no in-person meeting. Whether that applies is a fact-specific question, and it is one we look at closely.
When a Victim Becomes a Suspect
Sextortion cases can flip. Someone who was targeted, paid, or panicked can end up being investigated. If that happened to you, do not try to explain it to police on your own. Let us deal with investigators in a way that protects you.
The Evidence: Devices, Messages, and IP Data
Most of these cases are built on digital evidence, and that evidence can be challenged. We look at how your phone or computer was searched, whether the search was legal, and whether the data actually shows what the state claims. Digital forensics is not perfect. Shared devices, spoofed accounts, and misread data can all point at the wrong person. If the search was unlawful, we move to keep that evidence out. If the forensics are questionable, we can work with defense experts to defend you.
A Conviction Can Affect the Registry
Some of these offenses can lead to predatory offender registration, even for an attempt and even without an in-person meeting. That is a serious, long-term consequence, and it is one reason to take an online charge seriously from day one.
Why Work With Lundgren & Johnson
You work directly with an attorney. Our attorneys have more than 30 years of combined criminal defense experience and handle sensitive cases with discretion. If you are under investigation but not yet charged, contact us before you talk to anyone else. Our goal in every case is the best result the facts and the law allow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you help if I haven’t been charged yet?
Yes. If police have contacted you or seized a device, early help matters. See our pre-charge representation page, or call (612) 767-9643.
Do you handle cases where no one was ever met in person?
Yes. Many internet cases involve only online contact. That fact can matter to both the charge and the defense.
Are consultations confidential and available after hours?
Yes. We answer calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays, and your conversation with us is confidential.
Accused of an Internet Sex Crime in Minnesota?
Call Lundgren & Johnson at (612) 767-9643, any time, to talk with a criminal defense attorney.