Federal sex crime charges will typically involve more serious offenses which are unlawful under federal law or which involve crossed state lines. An example of a more recent federal sex crime is that of “sex tourism” where a perpetrator travels abroad in order to engage in a sex act or acts which are illegal in the U.S. but are lawful in another country.

Covered under the federal Protection Act, an offense of this nature may involve a person traveling to another country with a minor or to meet a minor and engage in sexual activity. A mandatory 10 year term of imprisonment may be imposed for a federal sex crime of this nature.