By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media
Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) says “it takes two criminals to commit the crime of child sex trafficking, a buyer and a seller.”
Building upon that premise, last week Grove introduced Senate Bill (SB) 1414 which would impose longer sentences on individuals convicted of soliciting or purchasing sex with children.
“With the introduction of SB 1414 we are going after the buyers, those who are purchasing sex from children. Together, we are sending a clear message – not one more child,” Grove posted on Facebook.
Last year, Grove introduced SB 14, a bill that reclassified sex trafficking of children from a misdemeanor to a felony.
“I’ve had district attorneys from across the state say that this law has allowed them to prosecute these traffickers,” Grove said, referencing SB 14.
Grove contends that the penalties on the books for solicitation and sex trafficking of minors are too lenient.
“Under existing law, a person who solicits, or who agrees to engage in, or who engages in, any act of prostitution with the intent to receive compensation, money, or anything of value from another person is guilty of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor,” the language in SB 1414 reads.
 says “it takes two criminals to commit the crime of child sex trafficking, a buyer and a seller.”){kind=link}