Why Prosecutors Rely on Trafficking Laws in Sex-Crime Cases

In sex-crime cases, prosecutors frequently leverage broad trafficking laws due to their inclusive language that can define a range of offenses. Using sex-trafficking laws broadens legal options, especially in cases where traditional prosecution challenges exist, like lack of physical evidence or reliance on victim testimony. Recent high-profile cases such as R. Kelly, Sean Combs, and Jeffrey Epstein have seen federal prosecutors employing sex trafficking charges strategically instead of rape allegations.