Two days ago, the Sacramento Bee published an opinion article on the debate in the State Legislature on AB 379 (Krell). This bill would have changed the law to allow law enforcement to arrest and prosecute people who purchase 16 and 17-year-old children for sex.
The Bee’s Opinion Writer, Robin Epley, applauded the bill being killed and went on to make an argument that people would go to jail for offering money or other things of value for sex, even if they are in a dating relationship. Specifically stating people could go to jail for providing “prom tickets” or “…french fries” for sex. However, The bill was clear that the new crime must fit the current legal definition of “prostitution” and a “commercial sex act.” As your Sheriff with over 33 years of law enforcement experience and 8 years as a lawmaker in the State Assembly, it is apparent the Opinion Writer of this opinion piece is very unfamiliar, or ignorant, of illegal commercial sex acts.
This issue has gained so much public attention because very few have the opinion of the opinion writer. The view of most is that adults who purchase sex acts with children should be arrested and prosecuted at a level consistent with the crime. That is not happening.
Currently, if we arrest an adult male for purchasing sex from a 16 or 17-year-old child, it is a misdemeanor. Meaning we give them the equivalent of a traffic ticket. AB 379 would have allowed the District Attorney to prosecute that predator with either a misdemeanor or a felony. However, the opinion writer attempts to gaslight you by claiming AB 379 would take discretion away from the Courts. AB 379 would not have only given the law enforcement experts more discretion, but it would have instituted appropriate consequences for child predators. It would have strengthened justice.
The argument or “debate” over AB 379 is extremely simple. Increasing penalties for sexual predators so we can protect children, or…not?
https://x.com/SheriffJCooper/status/1919747045499310210