Home » Criminal Defense » Sex Crimes » Online Sting

Online stings, set up by the police or FBI, are frequent occurrences in today’s computer-driven society. Adults engaged in perfectly legal activities in the privacy of their own homes are often set up by police pretending to be minor-age children offering their services for sexual purposes.

However, to make an arrest, the FBI is required by law to show that they have probable cause that you were committing a crime. Engaging in a conversation in what you thought was a legal chat room with another adult is legal.  If the police do most of the talking, you may have an entrapment defense.

Allegations regarding sexual exploitation of a child can be extremely damaging to a person’s reputation in addition to the severe penalties they may also face if convicted. An attorney can help an accused person figure out their rights and options during a difficult time.

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Salt Lake City Online Sting Defense Attorney

If Utah law enforcement has confiscated your computer, you must act now. Call Susanne Gustin, Attorney at Law at 801-243-2814 immediately. Once you are charged with an internet sex crime, you are up against the State’s expert investigators and prosecutors. This will be a tough fight requiring a tougher defense attorney.

Susanne Gustin’s law firm has years of experience investigating illegal stings and aggressively representing clients to have charges dismissed or reduced to charges that do not include sexual misconduct that can lead to placement on the Utah sex offender registry.

Call today to set up a free consultation to discuss your charges. This firm currently advises clients in the Salt Lake County and Davis County areas.

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Online Sting Information Center

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Online Sting Defined

An online sting occurs when law enforcement sets up a false account as an underage child with the intent to lure those individuals looking to engage in illegal sexual activity with a minor. Online stings are typically planned once a person visits a questionable website, or has search terms related to illegal sexual activity in his or her internet history.

After law enforcement discovers a person’s illegal online activity or identifies them as a possible online predator, they monitor the target’s online activity for months. Once law enforcement determines that they have enough evidence to build a case, they may confiscate your computer for further investigation.

If your computer has been confiscated by law enforcement, you need to act immediately to avoid a conviction.

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Related Crimes

Susanne Gustin is recognized as one of Utah’s leading sex crimes defense lawyers, with successful outcomes in cases involving:

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Penalties for Online Sting Convictions

Online stings are considered an internet sex crime, thus resulting in similar penalties to a typical sexually motivated crime.

Typically, enticing a minor online qualifies as a first-degree felony with penalties from five years to a maximum of life in jail. This offense may also result in a fine of up to $10,000.

In addition to prison time and fines, those accused of a sex crime including online stings, sex offender registry may also be required.

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Resources for Online Stings

Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) – this state agency initiates stings and investigations on individuals suspected of internet sex crimes against children.

ProCon.org– Source for information on online sex crimes

Utah Code– State site for legislation on internet sex crimes and online stings

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Susanne Gustin, Attorney at Law Salt Lake County Online Sting Attorney

If you have been charged with an Internet sex crime or another sex crime, you need a defense attorney who can represent you effectively whether at a plea negotiation or at trial. If you have been arrested, the prosecution is already working on your case — you should too.

If you want an experienced, aggressive child pornography defense attorney, contact Susanne Gustin, Attorney at Law at 801-243-2814. Susanne Gustin represents clients throughout Utah, Salt Lake County, and Davis County.

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Case Results

The following represents a small sample of outcomes that attorney Susanne Gustin has achieved for her clients. Please understand that the facts and circumstances of each case is unique.

Dismissal

Charges: Rape of a child
Date: August 2023
Details: Several rape of a child charges allegedly occurring over several years is dismissed based on statute of limitations. Gustin elicits favorable testimony from the alleged victim at the preliminary hearing about reporting the incident…

High Profile Cases

Acquittal

Charges: Aggravated kidnapping, rape, forcible sexual abuse
Date: October 2015
Details: Gustin earns “not guilty” verdicts on aggravated kidnapping, rape and forcible sexual abuse charges after one week jury trial. Client was facing 30 years-to-life in prison.

No charges

Allegation: Child sexual abuse
Date: December 2017
Details: Client faced allegations of child sexual abuse when he was teaching swimming lessons to a child. District Attorney’s office declines to prosecute when Gustin provides office with interviews of employees at the pool and provides…

More case results

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Sex Crimes

Testimonials

I am writing this review out of sincere gratitude for the “Red Shoes Living” customer service experience provided to me by Susanne Gustin. I had a very unique case and at the onset, I knew my case would require a person of high character, compassion, and who would exercise a strong work ethic to provide me with the commitment to working my case to my high standards. We live in a society where the large majority have lost faith in our legal system and in receiving quality customer service from a reputable attorney, the kind of service one would expect to receive under duress, whether guilty or innocent. In all honesty, I received compassion, attentiveness, timely responses, excellent communication, fair and concise guidance, and clarity, every step of the way, which resulted in the most favorable outcome for my situation. The feeling of having an attorney who was in the corner with me and could defend me while upholding justice and fairness was unmeasurable. Life and circumstances that may land an individual in a situation that brings into question their character, by their actions, or reaction, even the most honest person with the best of intentions, can be out of someone’s control. Retaining Susanne Gustin, to represent me was the best decision I made, enabling me to bring my life back together relatively quickly, with the least amount of collateral damage, saving my hard-earned career and academic education, ultimately assisting me in moving forward, beyond a set of circumstances that would not define me. Susanne Gustin took a sincere interest in humanizing me and in defending me. I will always be thankful for the high value of service she delivered.

Ida

A Google user

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The courtesy and professionalism my family received from Ms. Gustin were extraordinary. She returned our initial texts and phone calls quickly and efficiently. She established an action plan immediately. She contacted us on weekends to effectively see our situation end with positive results. She had our case wrapped up successfully in a matter of weeks. When your family members are falsely accused, Ms. Gustin is the person to have in your corner. Her kindness, care, and compassion are above reproach. Our trust was well-placed and her results were impeccable. Our family will ever be grateful for Susanne’s generosity with her knowledge, talents, and care.

Kristine

A Google user

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When our granddaughter found herself in a very difficult situation and accused of assault, Susanne was able to get her sentence greatly reduced and she was able to avoid prison. Susanne is very competent and professional and is dedicated to getting the best outcome for her client. From the very beginning she encouraged us that she could help our granddaughter and she did. We were able to reach her and get our questions answered. She is very experienced and has earned the respect of the prosecutors. She is an excellent attorney and we strongly recommend her to help a person get their life back on track.

Gerald

A Google user

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Highly recommend she helped me get rid of my domestic violence charge and keep my record clean. She also was very responsive with text messages and phone calls. Very easy to get a hold of anytime.

Austin

A Google user

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More client testimonials

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