Section 853 - Sex Trafficking1. A person is guilty of sex trafficking if:A. The person knowingly promotes prostitution. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; or [2013, c. 407, §3(NEW).]B. The person violates paragraph A and has 2 or more prior convictions in this State for any combination of the Maine offenses listed in this paragraph or for engaging in substantially similar conduct to that of the Maine offenses listed in this paragraph in another jurisdiction. The Maine offenses are any violation of this section or section 852, 853-B or 855 or attempts to commit any of these crimes. Section 9-A governs the use of prior convictions when determining a sentence. Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime. [2023, c. 316, §6(AMD).] [2023, c. 316, §6(AMD).]
2.[2013, c. 407, §3(RP).]
3. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the person engaged in sex trafficking because the person was compelled to do so as described in section 852, subsection 2. [2017, c. 416, §3(NEW).]
4. It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the act alleged to constitute sex trafficking consisted of the person publicly soliciting a patron to engage in prostitution only with the person. [2023, c. 316, §7(NEW).]
Amended by 2023SP1, c. 316,§ 7, eff. 10/25/2023.Amended by 2023SP1, c. 316,§ 6, eff. 10/25/2023.Amended by 2018, c. 416,§ 3, eff. 8/1/2018.Amended by 2015, c. 360,§ 1, eff. 10/15/2015.Amended by 2013, c. 407,§ 3, eff. 10/9/2013.