Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio

Being lied to about age on the internet

I'm a 28 yo bi male that put a personal ad out on a bi personals website. This one guy, who's profile said that he was 18, contacted me and we talked for about 2 months. We never met in person or anything, just had casual conversations over email and instant messanger but had talked about meeting in the future. This one morning, recently, I saw him log on to instant messanger and we started talking. Unknown to me at the time, I was talking to this guys mom and not him. Thinking it was him that was asking, he asked if he could call me so I sent him my phone numbers via email. Like I said, we talked for a couple months prior so I had no reason to mistrust him when he asked for my phone #; it was just a bit unexpected. Anyway after I sent the info via email, it was revealed on IM that it was his mom that I was talking to. She got very irrate with me and said 'thanks for the #'s, we'll see you in court.'

Now my question... since I'm totally confused about this how much trouble can I get into if this guy really wasn't 18? Everything I've seen, his personal ad, IM convos, say that he's 18 but what if it was all a lie and he turns out to be younger?

Thanks,

Very confused in Ohio


Asked on 5/12/04, 4:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joseph Jacobs Jacobs & Lowder

Re: Being lied to about age on the internet

You need to save and print ALL of the contacts. The state has the burden to prove that you were "reckless" as to his age, that you should have known, so they will have to show some reason that would have made it clear that he was a minor....I think you're ok.

Call me directly if you like:

Joe Jacobs, Esq.

216-952-1990 / 216-227-0900

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Answered on 5/14/04, 11:06 am


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