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her than Counterfeit
Bearer Obligations of the United States), effective November 1, 1987, amended effective June 15, 1988 (see Appendix C, amendment 30),
November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 154-156 and 303), November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 317), November 1,
1991 (see Appendix C, amendments 364 and 393), November 1, 1992 (see Appendix C, amendment 470), November 1, 1993 (see Appendix
C, amendments 481 and 482), November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendment 513), November 1, 1997 (see Appendix C, amendment 551),
November 1, 1998 (see Appendix C, amendments 577 and 587), November 1, 2000 (see Appendix C, amendments 595, 596, and 597), was
deleted by consolidation with §2B1.1 effective November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 617).
§2F1.2. [Deleted]
Historical Note: Section 2F1.2 (Insider Trading), effective November 1, 1987, was deleted by consolidation with §2B1.1 effective
November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 617).
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2G1.1
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PART G - OFFENSES INVOLVING COMMERCIAL SEX ACTS,
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF MINORS, AND OBSCENITY
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 2002 (see Appendix C, amendment 641).
1. PROMOTING A COMMERCIAL SEX ACT OR PROHIBITED SEXUAL CONDUCT
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 2000 (see Appendix C, amendment 592); November 1,
2002 (see Appendix C, amendment 641).
§2G1.1. Promoting a Commercial Sex Act or Prohibited Sexual Conduct with an Individual
Other than a Minor
(a) Base Offense Level: 14
(b) Specific Offense Characteristic
(1) If the offense involved fraud or coercion, increase by 4 levels.
(c) Cross Reference
(1) If the offense involved conduct described in 18 U.S.C. § 2241(a) or (b)
or 18 U.S.C. § 2242, apply §2A3.1 (Criminal Sexual Abuse; Attempt to
Commit Criminal Sexual Abuse).
(d) Special Instruction
(1) If the offense involved more than one victim, Chapter Three, Part D
(Multiple Counts) shall be applied as if the promoting of a commercial
sex act or prohibited sexual conduct in respect to each victim had been
contained in a separate count of conviction.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 8 U.S.C. § 1328 (only if the offense involved a victim other than a minor); 18
U.S.C. §§ 1591 (only if the offense involved a victim other than a minor), 2421 (only if the offense
involved a victim other than a minor), 2422(a) (only if the offense involved a victim other than a
minor).
Application Notes:
1. Definitions.—For purposes of this guideline:
"Commercial sex act" has the meaning given that term in 18 U.S.C. § 1591(c)(1).
"Prohibited sexual conduct" has the meaning given that term in Application Note 1 of §2A3.1
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(Criminal Sexual Abuse; Attempt to Commit Criminal Sexual Abuse).
"Promoting a commercial sex act" means persuading, inducing, enticing, or coercing a person
to engage in a commercial sex act, or to travel to engage in, a commercial sex act.
"Victim" means a person transported, persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced to engage in,
or travel for the purpose of engaging in, a commercial sex act or prohibited sexual conduct,
whether or not the person consented to the commercial sex act or prohibited sexual conduct.
Accordingly, "victim" may include an undercover law enforcement officer.
2. Application of Subsection (b)(1).—Subsection (b)(1) provides an enhancement for fraud or
coercion that occurs as part of the offense and anticipates no bodily injury. If bodily injury
results, an upward departure may be warranted. See Chapter Five, Part K (Departures). For
purposes of subsection (b)(1), "coercion" includes any form of conduct that negates the
voluntariness of the victim. This enhancement would apply, for example, in a case in which the
ability of the victim to appraise or control conduct was substantially impaired by drugs or
alcohol. This characteristic generally will not apply if the drug or alcohol was voluntarily
taken.
3. Application of Chapter Three Adjustment.—For the purposes of §3B1.1 (Aggravating Role),
a victim, as defined in this guideline, is considered a participant only if that victim assisted in
the promoting of a commercial sex act or prohibited sexual conduct in respect to another
victim.
4. Application of Subsection (c)(1).—
(A) Conduct Described in 18 U.S.C. § 2241(a) or (b).—For purposes of subsection (c)(1),
conduct described in 18 U.S.C. § 2241(a) or (b) is engaging in, or causing another
person to engage in, a sexual act with another person by: (i) using force against the
victim; (ii) threatening or placing the victim in fear that any person will be subject to
death, serious bodily injury, or kidnapping; (iii) rendering the victim unconscious; or (iv)
administering by force or threat of force, or without the knowledge or permission of the
victim, a drug, intoxicant, or other similar substance and thereby substantially impairing
the ability of the victim to appraise or control conduct. This provision would apply, for
example, if any dangerous weapon was used or brandished, or in a case in which the
ability of the victim to appraise or control conduct was substantially impaired by drugs
or alcohol.
(B) Conduct Described in 18 U.S.C. § 2242.—For purposes of subsection (c)(1), conduct
described in 18 U.S.C. § 2242 is: (i) engaging in, or causing another person to engage
in, a sexual act with another person by threatening or placing the victim in fear (other
than by threatening or placing the victim in fear that any person will be subject to death,
serious bodily injury, or kidnapping); or (ii) engaging in, or causing another person to
engage in, a sexual act with a victim who is incapable of appraising the nature of the
conduct or who is physically incapable of declining participation in, or communicating
unwillingness to engage in, the sexual act.
5. Special Instruction at Subsection (d)(1).—For the purposes of Chapter Three, Part D (Multiple
Counts), each person transported, persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced to engage in, or
travel to engage in, a commercial sex act or prohibited sexual conduct is to be treated as a
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2G1.3
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separate victim. Consequently, multiple counts involving more than one victim are not to be
grouped together under §3D1.2 (Groups of Closely Related Counts). In addition, subsection
(d)(1) directs that if the relevant conduct of an offense of conviction includes the promoting of
a commercial sex act or prohibited sexual conduct in respect to more than one victim, whether
specifically cited in the count of conviction, each such victim shall be treated as if contained
in a separate count of conviction.
6. Upward Departure Provision.—If the offense involved more than ten victims, an upward
departure may be warranted.
Background: This guideline covers offenses that involve promoting prostitution or prohibited sexual
conduct with an adult through a variety of means. Offenses that involve promoting prostitution or
prohibited sexual conduct with an adult are sentenced under this guideline, unless criminal sexual
abuse occurs as part of the offense, in which case the cross reference would apply.
This guideline also covers offenses under section 1591 of title 18, United States Code, that
involve recruiting or transporting a person, other than a minor, in interstate commerce knowing that
force, fraud, or coercion will be used to cause the person to engage in a commercial sex act.
Offenses of promoting prostitution or prohibited sexual conduct in which a minor victim is
involved are to be sentenced under §2G1.3 (Promoting a Commercial Sex Act or Prohibited Sexual
Conduct with a Minor; Transportation of Minors to Engage in a Commercial Sex Act or Prohibited
Sexual Conduct; Travel to Engage in Commercial Sex Act or Prohibited Sexual Conduct with a
Minor; Sex Trafficking of Children; Use of Interstate Facilities to Transport Information about a
Minor).
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 157 and 158);
November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 322); November 1, 1996 (see Appendix C, amendment 538); November 1, 2000 (see
Appendix C, amendment 592); May 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 612); November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 627);
November 1, 2002 (see Appendix C, amendment 641); November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C, amendment 664).
§2G1.2. [Deleted]
Historical Note: Section 2G1.2 (Transportation of a Minor for the Purpose of Prostitution or Prohibited Sexual Conduct), effective
November 1, 1987, amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 159 and 160), November 1, 1990 (see Appendix
C, amendment 323), November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendment 400), and November 1, 1992 (see Appendix C, amendment 444),
was deleted by consolidation with §2G1.1 effective November 1, 1996 (see Appendix C, amendment 538).
§2G1.3. Promoting a Commercial Sex Act or Prohibited Sexual Conduct with a Minor;
Transportation of Minors to Engage in a Commercial Sex Act or Prohibited Sexual
Conduct; Travel to Engage in Commercial Sex Act or Prohibited Sexual Conduct
with a Minor; Sex Trafficking of Children; Use of Interstate Facilities to Transport
Information about a Minor
(a) Base Offense Level: 24
(b) Specific Offense Characteristics
(1) If (A) the defendant was a parent, relative, or legal guardian of the minor;
or (B) the minor was otherwise in the custody, care, or supervisory
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control of the defendant, increase by 2 levels.
(2) If (A) the offense involved the knowing misrepresentation of a
participant’s identity to persuade, induce, entice, coerce, or facilitate the
travel of, a minor to engage in prohibited sexual conduct; or (B) a
participant otherwise unduly influenced a minor to engage in prohibited
sexual conduct, increase by 2 levels.
(3) If the offense involved the use of a computer or an interactive computer
service to (A) persuade, induce, entice, coerce, or facilitate the travel of,
the minor to engage in prohibited sexual conduct; or (B) entice,
encourage, offer, or solicit a person to engage in prohibited sexual
conduct with the minor, increase by 2 levels.
(4) If the offense involved (A) the commission of a sex act or sexual contact;
or (B) a commercial sex act, increase by 2 levels.
(5) If the offense involved a minor who had not attained the age of 12 years,
increase by 8 levels.
(c) Cross References
(1) If the offense involved causing, transporting, permitting, or offering or
seeking by notice or advertisement, a minor to engage in sexually explicit
conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct,
apply §2G2.1 (Sexually Exploiting a Minor by Production of Sexually
Explicit Visual or Printed Material; Custodian Permitting Minor to
Engage in Sexually Explicit Conduct; Advertisement for Minors to
Engage in Production), if the resulting offense level is greater than that
determined above.
(2) If a minor was killed under circumstances that would constitute murder
under 18 U.S.C. § 1111 had such killing taken place within the territorial
or maritime jurisdiction of the United States, apply §2A1.1 (First Degree
Murder), if the resulting offense level is greater than that determined
above.
(3) If the offense involved conduct described in 18 U.S.C. § 2241 or § 2242,
apply §2A3.1 (Criminal Sexual Abuse; Attempt to Commit Criminal
Sexual Abuse), if the resulting offense level is greater than that
determined above. If the offense involved interstate travel with intent to
engage in a sexual act with a minor who had not attained the age of 12
years, or knowingly engaging in a sexual act with a minor who had not
attained the age of 12 years, §2A3.1 shall apply, regardless of the
"consent" of the minor.
(d) Special Instruction
(1) If the offense involved more than one minor, Chapter Three, Part D
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2G1.3
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(Multiple Counts) shall be applied as if the persuasion, enticement,
coercion, travel, or transportation to engage in a commercial sex act or
prohibited sexual conduct of each victim had been contained in a separate
count of conviction.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 8 U.S.C. § 1328 (only if the offense involved a minor); 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591 (only
if the offense involved a minor), 2421 (only if the offense involved a minor), 2422 (only if the offense
involved a minor), 2422(b), 2423, 2425.
Application Notes:
1. Definitions.—For purposes of this guideline:
"Commercial sex act" has the meaning given that term in 18 U.S.C. § 1591(c)(1).
"Computer" has the meaning given that term in 18 U.S.C. § 1030(e)(1).
"Illicit sexual conduct" has the meaning given that term in 18 U.S.C. § 2423(f).
"Interactive computer service" has the meaning given that term in section 230(e)(2) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. § 230(f)(2)).
"Minor" means (A) an individual who had not attained the age of 18 years; (B) an individual,
whether fictitious or not, who a law enforcement officer represented to a participant (i) had not
attained the age of 18 years, and (ii) could be provided for the purposes of engaging in sexually
explicit conduct; or (C) an undercover law enforcement officer who represented to a
participant that the officer had not attained the age of 18 years.
"Participant" has the meaning given that term in Application Note 1 of the Commentary to
§3B1.1 (Aggravating Role).
"Prohibited sexual conduct" has the meaning given that term in Application Note 1 of the
Commentary to §2A3.1 (Criminal Sexual Abuse; Attempt to Commit Criminal Sexual Abuse).
"Sexual act" has the meaning given that term in 18 U.S.C. § 2246(2).
"Sexual contact" has the meaning given that term in 18 U.S.C. § 2246(3).
2. Application of Subsection (b)(1).—
(A) Custody, Care, or Supervisory Control.—Subsection (b)(1) is intended to have broad
application and includes offenses involving a victim less than 18 years of age entrusted
to the defendant, whether temporarily or permanently. For example, teachers, day care
providers, baby-sitters, or other temporary caretakers are among those who would be
subject to this enhancement. In determining whether to apply this enhancement, the
court should look to the actual relationship that existed between the defendant and the
minor and not simply to the legal status of the defendant-minor relationship.
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(B) Inapplicability of Chapter Three Adjustment.—If the enhancement under subsection
(b)(1) applies, do not apply §3B1.3 (Abuse of Position of Trust or Use of Special Skill).
3. Application of Subsection (b)(2).—
(A) Misrepresentation of Participant’s Identity.—The enhancement in subsection (b)(2)(A)
applies in cases involving the misrepresentation of a participant’s identity to persuade,
induce, entice, coerce, or facilitate the travel of, a minor to engage in prohibited sexual
conduct. Subsection (b)(2)(A) is intended to apply only to misrepresentations made
directly to a minor or to a person who exercises custody, care, or supervisory control of
the minor. Accordingly, the enhancement in subsection (b)(2)(A) would not apply to a
misrepresentation made by a participant to an airline representative in the course of
making travel arrangements for the minor.
The misrepresentation to which the enhancement in subsection (b)(2)(A) may apply
includes misrepresentation of a participant’s name, age, occupation, gender, or status,
as long as the misrepresentation was made with the intent to persuade, induce, entice,
coerce, or facilitate the travel of, a minor to engage in prohibited sexual conduct.
Accordingly, use of a computer screen name, without such intent, would not be a
sufficient basis for application of the enhancement.
(B) Undue Influence.—In determining whether subsection (b)(2)(B) applies, the court should
closely consider the facts of the case to determine whether a participant’s influence over
the minor compromised the voluntariness of the minor’s behavior.
In a case in which a participant is at least 10 years older than the minor, there shall be
a rebuttable presumption, for purposes of subsection (b)(2)(B), that such participant
unduly influenced the minor to engage in prohibited sexual conduct. In such a case,
some degree of undue influence can be presumed because of the substantial difference
in age between the participant and the minor.
4. Application of Subsection (b)(3).—Subsection (b)(3) is intended to apply only to the use of a
computer or an interactive computer service to communicate directly with a minor or with a
person who exercises custody, care, or supervisory control of the minor. Accordingly, the
enhancement in subsection (b)(3) would not apply to the use of a computer or an interactive
computer service to obtain airline tickets for the minor from an airline’s Internet site.
5. Application of Subsection (c).—
(A) Application of Subsection (c)(1).—The cross reference in subsection (c)(1) is to be
construed broadly and includes all instances in which the offense involved employing,
using, persuad
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