Tampa, FL Internet Extortion and Sextortion Criminal Defense

Internet extortion and sextortion are serious crimes that can lead to felony charges and prison time in Florida. These crimes involve using threats or coercion to obtain money, property, or some other gain from a victim. With the rise of technology and social media, extortion crimes are increasingly taking place online and over cell phones.

Understanding Sextortion Charges

Sextortion is a form of extortion that involves threats to release sexually explicit images of the victim unless demands are met. For example:

• A person threatens to post nude photos of their ex online unless the ex pays them off.
• A hacker breaks into someone’s computer, finds compromising images, and threatens to make them public unless a ransom is paid.
• Someone threatens to send private sexual images to a victim’s employer or family members unless the victim provides more images.

Sextortion is often facilitated through social media, dating apps, or other online platforms where people share intimate images without realizing they may end up in the wrong hands. Predators may even pose as someone else online to deceive victims into providing photos that are later used for extortion.

Florida sextortion laws make these acts a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The penalties are harsher than basic extortion due to the sexual component and devastating effects this crime can have on victims.

Defenses to Internet Extortion and Sextortion Charges

Skilled criminal defense lawyers can often build strong defenses by closely examining the evidence and circumstances surrounding an alleged extortion or sextortion crime. Some potential defenses include:

• You did not actually make any threats. The messages or statements you made were misconstrued. When properly understood in context, no actual threat was made.
• You had no intention to extort or follow through on threats. The threats were made in jest, as a prank, or you never intended the other party to feel threatened or comply.
• The alleged victim is lying or fabricated evidence. It’s possible the accuser made up the threats or even impersonated you online. An investigation into the digital evidence and credibility of the accuser may reveal fabrication.
• You were unlawfully provoked. In some cases, threats may be considered protected speech if you were provoked or responding to threats made against you.
• Mistaken identity. Someone else made the threats while impersonating you online. Your device or IP address may have been compromised.
• You were entrapped. Law enforcement coerced or induced you into committing a crime you otherwise wouldn’t have.

An experienced attorney will thoroughly analyze the prosecution’s evidence, research potential defenses, and build the strongest case possible on your behalf. Having a skilled lawyer in your corner can make all the difference in these cases.

Finding the Right Tampa Extortion Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one is under investigation or charged with any type of internet extortion or sextortion crime, time is of the essence. Police and prosecutors move quickly in these cases, so you need an experienced attorney on your side immediately.

Look for a Tampa criminal defense lawyer with specific experience defending internet extortion, sextortion and related cybercrime cases. They should have a proven track record of positive case results. Be sure they are willing to aggressively defend you and take your case to trial if needed.