USA v. Butler, No. 22-20171 (5th Cir. 2023)
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After pleading guilty, Defendant was convicted of one count of coercion and enticement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2422(b), and one count of sexual exploitation of children, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2251(a) and (e). Defendant's presentence investigation report (“PSR”) recommended a two-level enhancement under U.S.S.G. 2G2.1(b)(2)(A), because the offense “involved the commission of a sexual act or sexual contact” based on video evidence that Defendant masturbated on video with a minor. The court sentenced Defendant accordingly, and Defendant appealed.
On appeal,. Defendant challenged the district court's application of the two-level enhancement under U.S.S.G. 2G2.1(b)(2)(A). Agreeing with the four other circuits that have weighed in on the issue, the Fifth Circuit affirmed, finding that an act of masturbation constitutes "sexual contact" under 18 U.S.C. 2246(3).
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