Boys' Internet prank results in Fontana man's sex crime arrest

[The Straight Story]

Boys' Internet prank results in Fontana man's sex crime arrest

FONTANA, Calif. (AP) - A group of boys who posed as a 15-year-old girl for an Internet prank ended up helping police arrest a 48-year-old man who tried to meet the fictitious teenager for sex.

Police say the five boys had created a fake profile of a girl on social-networking Web site MySpace-dot-com to cheer up a friend who had recently broken up with his girlfriend.

But the fictitious girl soon attracted an adult admirer, who sent her sexually suggestive messages.

The man also sent the "girl" his picture and arranged to meet her at a public park.

The boys went to the park yesterday to meet the man. When Michael Ramos of Fontana arrived, the teens called police.

http://www.kget.com/news/state/story.aspx?content_id=95DBB484-5429-4B8B-B96E-2797BA0B12D1

Now I am wondering something about all this (including the dateline episodes, et al) - If I am not wrong I believe it is against the law to show images that appear to be a child, whether computer generated or not, in a sexual manner. But one can imitate a child using sexual overtones online? Not saying I agree or disagree, just wondering how the two are compatible?

[MadMaddie]

1. That's a good question...

it's a fine line.....

[Goblinmonger]

2. It is illegal

because it is child porn.

It is not illegal to have a fake identity on the Internet. How many people at Myspace do you really think are over 100 that list that as their age?

[MADem]

3. The admirer was the one being suggestive

And sending his picture, and arranging a meeting...

Another thread, same subject, here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2150051

[ugarte]

4. A situation ripe for blackmail...

The kids could have made some money. I'm sure it's probably happened.