According to a recent Kansas City Star report, a 36-year-old Independence man was charged with statutory rape and statutory sodomy as a result of his relationship with a 14-year-old girl. The pair had sexual contact on multiple occasions between 2009 and 2011. The girl was pregnant with the man’s child when her mother reported the alleged contact to law enforcement in 2011. The girl and her mother eventually left the area and the case was dropped. It was not reported whether the …show more content…
Therefore, any sexual acts with people under this age are considered illegal, according to the U.S. Department of Human and Health Services. When someone who is under 19-years-old participates in sexual fondling or touching, sodomy or intercourse with someone between 14 and 16-years-old it is classified as unlawful voluntary sexual relations under state law. Also known as statutory rape, this is considered a serious criminal offense.
What are the penalties for statutory rape?
With few exceptions, unlawful voluntary sexual relations is charged as level eight, nine or 10, person felony. The penalties for this offense vary depending on the couple’s ages, the alleged offender’s prior criminal record and the type of sexual contact involved. Under most circumstances, being convicted of statutory rape carries a maximum prison sentence of 23 months. Additionally, those convicted of this offense may be sentenced to probation or fines.
Unlawful voluntary sexual relations and Jessica’s