Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 2907 | Sex Offenses
Section 2907.21 | Compelling Prostitution.

Effective: September 13, 2022
Latest Legislation: House Bill 427 - 134th General Assembly
(A) No person shall knowingly do any of the following:
(1) Compel another to engage in sexual activity for hire;
(2) Induce, procure, encourage, solicit, request, or otherwise facilitate either of the following:
(a) A minor to engage in sexual activity for hire, whether or not the offender knows the age of the minor;
(b) A person the offender believes to be a minor to engage in sexual activity for hire, whether or not the person is a minor.
(3)(a) Pay or agree to pay a minor, either directly or through the minor's agent, so that the minor will engage in sexual activity, whether or not the offender knows the age of the minor;
(b) Pay or agree to pay a person the offender believes to be a minor, either directly or through the person's agent, so that the person will engage in sexual activity, whether or not the person is a minor.
(4)(a) Pay a minor, either directly or through the minor's agent, for the minor having engaged in sexual activity pursuant to a prior agreement, whether or not the offender knows the age of the minor;
(b) Pay a person the offender believes to be a minor, either directly or through the person's agent, for the person having engaged in sexual activity pursuant to a prior agreement, whether or not the person is a minor.
(5)(a) Allow a minor to engage in sexual activity for hire if the person allowing the child to engage in sexual activity for hire is the parent, guardian, custodian, person having custody or control, or person in loco parentis of the minor;
(b) Allow a person the offender believes to be a minor to engage in sexual activity for hire if the person allowing the person to engage in sexual activity for hire is the parent, guardian, custodian, person having custody or control, or person in loco parentis of the person the offender believes to be a minor, whether or not the person is a minor.
(B) For a prosecution under division (A)(1) of this section, the element "compel" does not require that the compulsion be openly displayed or physically exerted. The element "compel" has been established if the state proves that the offender overcame the victim's will by force, fear, duress, or intimidation, by furnishing or offering a controlled substance to the victim, or by manipulating the victim's controlled substance addiction.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of compelling prostitution. Except as otherwise provided in this division, compelling prostitution is a felony of the third degree. If the offender commits a violation of division (A)(1) of this section and the person compelled to engage in sexual activity for hire in violation of that division is sixteen years of age or older but less than eighteen years of age, compelling prostitution is a felony of the second degree. If the offender commits a violation of division (A)(1) of this section and the person compelled to engage in sexual activity for hire in violation of that division is less than sixteen years of age, compelling prostitution is a felony of the first degree. If the offender in any case also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification as described in section 2941.1422 of the Revised Code that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging the offense, the court shall sentence the offender to a mandatory prison term as provided in division (B)(7) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code and shall order the offender to make restitution as provided in division (B)(8) of section 2929.18 of the Revised Code.
Last updated July 14, 2022 at 12:38 PM

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