Cleveland, OH criminal defense attorney Jay Milano shares his advice for a person charged with an internet sex crime. He mentions that in internet-related sex crime cases, he often sees a fundamental problem: many people simply don’t realize the seriousness of their actions. Some individuals might use dating websites that require users to be 18 or older, and if they end up communicating with or exchanging pictures with a minor, that constitutes a crime—often one they don’t anticipate.

Other individuals become drawn into disturbing content online, viewing or downloading illegal material involving real victims. At that point, they cross into a realm where the consequences are severe, potentially including life in prison. These cases are particularly challenging because the law treats even unintentional engagement with such material very harshly.

He emphasizes that these situations often arise not from malice, but from isolation and curiosity. People who might never commit a crime in everyday life can make catastrophic mistakes when alone and unsupervised online. His hope is that greater awareness and caution will prevent such tragic outcomes, urging individuals to steer clear of these dangerous paths altogether.