United States v. Hosler, No. 19-2863 (7th Cir. 2020)
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Hosler responded to a darkweb site post purporting to advertise sex with a young girl. Eau Claire Detective Beardsley had created the advertisement, pretending to be a mother, “Amanda,” offering her 12-year-old daughter, “Gracie,” for sex in exchange for money or in a swap for other young girls. Hosler corresponded with "Amanda," arranged a meeting, then traveled from Texas to Eau Claire. He was arrested at the planned meeting location and was charged with child enticement, 18 U.S.C. 2422(b); interstate travel for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual activity, section 2423(b); and possession of child pornography, sections 2252(a)(4)(B), (b)(2).
The court denied Hosler's motion for a judgment of acquittal on the child enticement charge, found him guilty, sentenced him to concurrent 120-month terms of imprisonment. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, finding the evidence sufficient to support Hosler’s conviction for attempting to persuade or entice a minor into a sexual relationship. The statute refers to a defendant who “ knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces” the minor to engage in prohibited sexual activity. The court noted Hosler’s extensive communications with “Amanda” about “Gracie’s” preferences and awareness of and reaction to Hosler’s interest. It was not plainly irrational for the judge to interpret Hosler’s messages as trying to win Gracie’s favor.
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