The average defendant in an Internet sex sting case is male (99 percent), white (92 percent), and older than 25 (86 percent). Few are violent in any manner. Some 97 percent acted alone in the crimes of which they are accused. Only 10 percent had prior arrests for sexually offending against minors. They rarely lie online about who they are or their age. They claim there were not trying to “trick” a “mark,” and, if indeed they were not seeking prepubesent children, they would not be classified psychologically as pedophiles. They are often married, and many are happily married. They have some knowledge of the Internet but not as much as they are alleged in the media to know. Most have never been involved in a crime before.

These cases are very difficult. The results of losing them can mean far more than a conviction and jail. It opens the client up to being listed on the sex offender registry for life and could in some cases expose the client to the risk of life in a mental institution after he is released from prison.

Less than 1 percent of these cases are won by the defense at trial, and fewer than 12 percent are even brought to trial.