Sufficiency of Evidence

By: Derek Hawkins//September 14, 2020//

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7^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Name: United States of America v. Robert Hosler

Case No.: 19-2863

Officials: BAUER, EASTERBROOK, and WOOD, Circuit Judges.

Focus: Sufficiency of Evidence

Robert Hosler was convicted after a bench trial of using a facility or means of interstate commerce to attempt to “persuade[], induce[], entice[], or coerce[]” a minor to engage in sexual activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). The charge stemmed from Hosler’s communications over a period of several weeks with an undercover police detective posing as a mother offering her 12-year-old daughter for sex in exchange for money. Hosler argues that his conduct did not meet the requirements of the statute because he did not attempt to transform or overcome the supposed minor’s will. The evidence was sufficient to support Hosler’s conviction for attempting to persuade or entice a minor into a sexual relationship, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). We therefore AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.

Affirmed

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Derek A Hawkins is trademark corporate counsel for Harley-Davidson. Hawkins oversees the prosecution and maintenance of the Harley-Davidson’s international trademark portfolio in emerging markets.

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