On Thu, 23 Jan 2003, Doug Henwood wrote:
> According to the age of consent chart at
> <http://www.ageofconsent.com/ageofconsent.htm>, most jurisdictions
> around the world - including, it seems, most U.S. states - have an age
> of consent of 16.
That's an interesting point. The statutory-rape age of consent (as opposed to "allowed to get married "age of consent) in New York State is actually 14. And Ritter's arrest was in New York, no? So what could he possibly have been charged with if the stinger portrayed herself as being 16?
It sounds like not only did he commit no crime, he didn't even commit an imaginary crime.
As for the ethics of it, I think we'd have to see the transcripts of the chat to judge that. I've never ever considered sleeping with a 16 year old. But if one who was precociously intelligent and alluring (because she had the mind of a 34 year old who was dedicated to the task of seducing me) teased me and begged me for weeks (in a way no real life 16 year old would do), who knows that I might not ask her out to coffee just for the frisson of the absurd. And then I'm arrested?
I dunno jks. I think this stinks. Even if it didn't sound like something out of the British TV series "House of Cards."
Although that said, I've gotta say I *do* think it reflects on his credibility as an inspector. What a fucking dope! A guy who trusts in people's chat personnas in 2001 seems to me like a guy who knows zip about either computers or con games. He clearly hasn't got either the laser-like mind or the nose for duplicity he gives people to believe.
Michael