Paying for Sexual Conduct with a Child Under 16 – M.G.L. c. 272, § 53A(c) Case Result – Somerset Massachusetts
Charges
- Paying for Sexual Conduct with a Child Under 16 – M.G.L. c. 272, § 53A(c)
- Enticing a Child Under 16 – M.G.L. c. 265, § 26C(b)
- Attempt to Commit a Crime – M.G.L. c. 274, § 6
Court Information
Somerset, Massachusetts
Bristol County
Fall River District Court
Case Overview
Police conducted an undercover operation targeting people seeking sex with minors. They posted a fictitious juvenile escort profile online, utilized a hotel for the operation, and began to have a text message conversation with a man who responded to the advertisement. The undercover officer pretended to be a teenager offering sex in exchange for $120.00. The man agreed and responded to the designated hotel room. Upon arrival, the man was placed under arrest and charged with Paying for Sexual Conduct with a Child Under 16, Enticing a Child Under 16, and Attempt to Commit a Crime. After his released on bail, the man retained Massachusetts Sex Crime Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to defend him in this case. Attorney Calcagni and his team first persuaded the prosecution to amend or reduce some of the charges, to enable the case to remain in Fall River District Court, opposed to being indicted in Superior Court. The Defense then filed a motion to dismiss the enticement charge, which required sex offender registration upon conviction. Following ongoing negotiations with the Commonwealth, and its consideration of both the motion to dismiss and a mitigation packet submitted by Attorney Calcagni on the man’s behalf, the prosecution agreed to dismiss the enticement and attempt charges, in exchange for the man’s agreement to have the remaining Paying for Sexual Conduct charge continued without a finding for 18 months. Assuming the man is not charged with a new offense during this time period, this case will be dismissed.
Case Result
18-Month Continuation Without a Finding