What is Online Solicitation of a Minor?
Online Solicitation of a Minor is one of two offenses created by sections 33.021(b) and 33.021(c) of the Texas Penal Code:
Sec. 33.021. ONLINE SOLICITATION OF A MINOR. (a) In this section:(1) "Minor" means:(A) an individual who is younger than 17 years of age; or(B) an individual whom the actor believes to be younger than 17 years of age.(2) "Sexual contact," "sexual intercourse," and "deviate sexual intercourse" have the meanings assigned by Section 21.01.(3) "Sexually explicit" means any communication, language, or material, including a photographic or video image, that relates to or describes sexual conduct, as defined by Section 43.25.(b) A person who is 17 years of age or older commits an offense if, with the intent to commit an offense listed in Article 62.001(5)(A), (B), or (K), Code of Criminal Procedure, the person, over the Internet, by electronic mail or text message or other electronic message service or system, or through a commercial online service, intentionally:(1) communicates in a sexually explicit manner with a minor; or(2) distributes sexually explicit material to a minor.(c) A person commits an offense if the person, over the Internet, by electronic mail or text message or other electronic message service or system, or through a commercial online service, knowingly solicits a minor to meet another person, including the actor, with the intent that the minor will engage in sexual contact, sexual intercourse, or deviate sexual intercourse with the actor or another person....
In short, online communications with a person who is under 17, or who you believe is under 17, are illegal in Texas if you intend for that communication to lead to a minor engaging in sexual conduct, constitute Online Solicitation of a Minor. That sexual conduct can be with you, with someone else, or even with herself.
...