http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/ceos/pros ... forts.html Federal Efforts to Combat Interstate Sex Trafficking of Minors
It has been a federal crime to transport minors over state lines for the purpose of committing illegal sex acts since 1910
Eighteen United States Code, Section 2421 criminalizes the knowing transportation of any individual in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any Territory or Possession of the United States, with the intent that such individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense. The maximum term of imprisonment under this statute is 10 years
The statute criminalizing interstate or international transportation of minors for illegal sexual activity is 18 U.S.C. § 2423. This statute, too, was recently amended in the PROTECT Act. The newly revised statute provides:
(a) Transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. ? A person who knowingly transports an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States, with the intent that the individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 5 years and not more than 30 years.
(b) Travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. ? A person who travels in interstate commerce or travels into the United States, or a United States citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence in the United States who travels in foreign commerce, for the purpose of engaging in any illicit sexual conduct with another person shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both.
(f) Definition. ? As used in this section the term "illicit sexual conduct" means (1) a sexual act (as defined in section 2246) with a person under 18 years of age that would be in violation of chapter 109A if the sexual act occurred in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States; or (2) any commercial sex act (as defined in section 1591) with a person under 18 years of age.