Does a person who engages in otherwise lawful, consensual sex with a 16 or 17-year-old dating partner commit 'sex-trafficking' if the person gives unconditional gifts to the date? May a person be convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(a), for the sex trafficking of a minor without knowledge that a minor would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act?

Does a person who engages in otherwise lawful, consensual sex with a 16 or 17-year-old dating partner commit “sex-trafficking” if the person gives unconditional gifts to the date? May a person be convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 1591(a), for the sex trafficking of a minor without knowledge that a minor would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act? ii PROCEEDINGS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS CASE United States vs. Anton Lazzaro, 21-Cr-173-PJS-DTS, District of Minnesota (judgment entered on 9 August 2023). United States vs. Anton Lazzaro, Nos. 23-3098 and 23-3411, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (judgment entered on 25 February 2025). United States vs. Anton Lazzaro, Nos. 23-3098 and 23-3411, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (Order Denying Petition for En Banc Rehearing) (order entered on 6 May 2025).