The trafficking of underage girls into prostitution and internet crimes remains a critical issue for law enforcement as they crack down on the online solicitation of minors. When someone faces serious criminal charges for sex crimes, it is important for the case to be handled carefully because the consequences for a conviction can be quite harsh.

In Minneapolis, a man has been accused of solicitation and prostituting two underage girls. According to authorities, a 16-year-old girl was first found with the man in St. Cloud. Although she denied that she was having sex with him, she was later found at a motel in Richfield with another man and admitted to being a prostitute. Police took her phone and found that she had been communicating with the man in question.

According to a report, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension set up a phony date with the 16-year-old girl in St. Cloud. The man was driving by the location and was pulled over for driving without a license. After examining the man's cell phone, authorities discovered several photos with other girls. The man and the girl were both arrested.

Following the arrest, an additional underage girl filed a complaint saying that the man forced her into prostitution as well.

More arrests and convictions are being made based upon evidence recovered from a cell phone. Sexting, the practice of sending or receiving a text message containing nudity, may be evidence used against an individual.

The Minneapolis man has been charged with eight counts of solicitation, inducement, as well as promotion of prostitution. A sex crime charge, such as the online solicitation of a minor, can be one of the most stigmatizing charges. If not delicately handled, the charge could have a huge impact on an individual's life.

Source: Fox 9, "Man charged with eight counts of prostituting young girls," Feb. 3, 2012