Article about online sexual predator law...

[cynatnite]

The current law makes it a misdemeanor for someone to solicit a child by computer to meet and have sex. The child also must be at least three years younger than the solicitor.

The bill would upgrade that offense to the lowest-grade felony _ bringing with it the possibility of up to a year in prison upon conviction.

Anyone convicted of being an online predator would then, as a felon, have to provide fingerprints and DNA samples, said Sen. Scott Thomas, D-Craven, the bill's sponsor.

The measure also would be expanded to make clear it applies to defendants who simply believe the person they are speaking with online is less than 16.

Predators in other states have avoided prosecution by arguing the "child" was actually an adult, so a law wasn't broken, Cooper said. The measure also would explicitly bar defenses based on an argument that a police officer who poses as a child is of the age of consent and therefore may legally be propositioned.

snip:
The bill was recommended by the committee to the full Senate even some senators reaised concerns that it does not bar solicitation of 16- and 17-year-olds.

snip:
Federal law and laws involving victims in other states often can apply to case involving victims who are 16 or 17, said Kevin West, an SBI special agent in charge of the state's online predator task force

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031781849768&path=!localnews&s=1037645509099

Maybe some our legal eagles can help out with this :)