Penalties toughened for sexual predators

The state triples the maximum sentences for some crimes.

ORLANDO - Florida's sex predator penalties became among the nation's toughest Monday as a law took effect tripling maximum sentences to 15 years for soliciting minors for sex and possessing child pornography.

The law also requires offenders to register e-mail and instant message handles with authorities. That information will be shared with social networking sites like Myspace.com.

State Attorney General Bill McCollum spoke on the Orange County Courthouse steps, joined by four county sheriffs and other law enforcement officers. The first-term attorney general has made child sex crimes one of his top priorities, pushing for the legislation and getting money to expand the state's cybercrime unit from five to 50 investigators.

The Legislature passed the sex crime bill last session, and Gov. Charlie Crist signed it in June.

Previously, prosecutors could pursue sentences of only five years for trying to meet a child for sex or possessing more than 10 child pornography images.

Increased penalties are provided for "grooming" - or posing as a youth to gain a child's trust - and particularly heinous pornography with victims under 5 years old, sadomasochistic abuse, bestiality and sexual battery. Promotion or distribution of those images is punishable by up to 30 years in jail.

The law reclassifies possession of child pornography as a second-degree felony, while promotion and distribution becomes first-degree.

McCollum's office said Florida ranks fourth in the country in child pornography on computers.

[Last modified October 2, 2007, 01:19:45]