Haridopolos acts to close cybersex loophole

Apr 30, 2009

by Michelle Spitzer

Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, is doing his part to close a legal loophole regarding solicitation of minors via the Internet.

The language of the Florida law says it is illegal to use a computer for soliciting, seducing or luring a child for sexual contact to a minor who resides “in this state.” That means a suspect can communicate with a minor outside Florida, and not be tried on state charges.

At the urging of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Haridopolos filed an amendment to eliminate “in this state.”

“I am happy we were able to take the steps to close a loophole that prohibited the state from fully prosecuting certain types of crimes,” Haridopolos said. “This amendment will help ensure the safety of children, not only in Florida, but throughout the country.”

The measure is scheduled for a Senate vote today.

Authorities became aware of the loophole when Derek Thibodeau, a convicted sex offender, e-mailed explicit pictures of himself on a Webcam in September for someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl in Pittsburgh. The person posing as the teen actually was a law enforcement officer.

Thibodeau could have faced 15 years or more on state charges.

However, because of the loophole, the 36-year-old father from Titusville was sentenced earlier this month to 28 months on federal charges.

Authorities with Brevard County Sheriff’s Office contacted Haridopolos in March for assistance in changing the law.

Agent Dan Ogden said he was encouraged by the senator’s quick response, and the importance the lawmakers are putting on children’s safety.

“I’m very pleased of the progress that we’ve made,” Ogden said. “This has been a group effort by everyone to help close this loophole. Our fight will not be over until the bill has passed.”

Haridopolos’ amendment is attached to a bill by Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, that requires sexual offenders and predators to provide telephone numbers as part of the registration and reregistration process with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on it today.

A state charge of failing to register his e-mail address still is pending. He faces a maximum of five years on that charge.

Thibodeau served five years of probation for a 1999 charge of using a computer for soliciting, seducing or luring a child for sexual contact.

Reprinted from the Florida Today

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