Iowa criminal charge
Enticing a minor in Iowa
Enticing a minor is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 710.10. Its classification is not fixed: Iowa assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Iowa Code § 710.10.
What is the penalty for enticing a minor in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Enticing a minor under 13 — intent to commit sexual abuse or sexual exploitation — Without authority and with intent to commit sexual abuse or sexual exploitation upon a minor under thirteen, the person entices or attempts to entice a person reasonably believed to be under thirteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,370 to $13,660 (Enticing a minor under 13 — intent to commit sexual abuse or sexual exploitation — Without authority and with intent to commit sexual abuse or sexual exploitation upon a minor under thirteen, the person entices or attempts to entice a person reasonably believed to be under thirteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Enticing a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal sex act or sexual exploitation — Without authority and with intent to commit an illegal sex act upon or sexual exploitation of a minor under sixteen, the person entices or attempts to entice a person reasonably believed to be under sixteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Enticing a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal sex act or sexual exploitation — Without authority and with intent to commit an illegal sex act upon or sexual exploitation of a minor under sixteen, the person entices or attempts to entice a person reasonably believed to be under sixteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Enticing a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal act — Without authority and with intent to commit an illegal act upon a minor under sixteen, the person entices a person reasonably believed to be under sixteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Enticing a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal act — Without authority and with intent to commit an illegal act upon a minor under sixteen, the person entices a person reasonably believed to be under sixteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Attempted enticement of a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal act — Without authority and with intent to commit an illegal act upon a minor under sixteen, the person attempts to entice a person reasonably believed to be under sixteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Attempted enticement of a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal act — Without authority and with intent to commit an illegal act upon a minor under sixteen, the person attempts to entice a person reasonably believed to be under sixteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
Applies to current (2026 Iowa Code; fine levels per 2020 Acts ch 1074).
How is enticing a minor classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enticing a minor under 13 — intent to commit sexual abuse or sexual exploitation | Class “C” Felony | Without authority and with intent to commit sexual abuse or sexual exploitation upon a minor under thirteen, the person entices or attempts to entice a person reasonably believed to be under thirteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such. | Iowa Code § 710.10(1) |
| Enticing a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal sex act or sexual exploitation | Class “D” Felony | Without authority and with intent to commit an illegal sex act upon or sexual exploitation of a minor under sixteen, the person entices or attempts to entice a person reasonably believed to be under sixteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such. | Iowa Code § 710.10(2) |
| Enticing a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal act | Class “D” Felony | Without authority and with intent to commit an illegal act upon a minor under sixteen, the person entices a person reasonably believed to be under sixteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such. | Iowa Code § 710.10(3) |
| Attempted enticement of a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal act | Aggravated Misdemeanor | Without authority and with intent to commit an illegal act upon a minor under sixteen, the person attempts to entice a person reasonably believed to be under sixteen, including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as such. | Iowa Code § 710.10(4) |
Common questions about enticing a minor in Iowa
Is enticing a minor a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: enticing a minor ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “C” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 710.10.
Enticing a minor under 13 — intent to commit sexual abuse or sexual exploitation: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 710.10(1)) · Enticing a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal sex act or sexual exploitation: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 710.10(2)) · Enticing a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal act: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 710.10(3)) · Attempted enticement of a minor under 16 — intent to commit illegal act: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 710.10(4))
What are the penalties for enticing a minor in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers enticing a minor?
Enticing a minor is governed by Iowa Code § 710.10 (Enticing a minor).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.