Sex Exploit Minor Second Degree | Fight Your Case!

If you or a loved one has been accused of “sex exploit minor 2nd degree” or the similarly termed sex exploit minor second degree crime in Greensboro or anywhere in Guilford County, our criminal defense team is ready to help—24/7. Charges related to child pornography and other serious offenses can result in devastating legal repercussions. Call (336) 379-0539 or visit us at 317 S Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401.

What “Sex Exploit Minor 2nd Degree” Means in North Carolina

In North Carolina, the formal charge is Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor under G.S. 14-190.17. This statute targets not only the creation and distribution of prohibited material but also offenses that may overlap with definitions of child pornography. The law makes it a felony to, knowing the character or content of the material:

Record, photograph, film, develop, or duplicate material that visually depicts a minor engaged in sexual activity;
Distribute, transport, exhibit, receive, sell, purchase, exchange, or solicit such material (including content created or modified to make it appear an identifiable minor is engaged in sexual activity); or
Distribute/transport/exhibit/receive/sell/purchase/exchange/solicit a child sex doll.

These acts are carefully scrutinized as serious crimes that impact justice, especially when they involve elements of child pornography. Mistake of age is not a defense. Conviction is a Class E felony with severe penalties that include both custodial measures and other legal repercussions. North Carolina General Assembly

Elements — Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (North Carolina)

Under G.S. 14-190.17, the State must prove that the defendant, knowing the character or content of the material, did any of the following:

Recorded / photographed / filmed / developed / duplicated material containing a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity; or
Distributed / transported / exhibited / received / sold / purchased / exchanged / solicited material depicting a minor engaged in sexual activity or material that has been created/adapted/modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaged in sexual activity; or
Distributed / transported / exhibited / received / sold / purchased / exchanged / solicited a child sex doll.

Additional statutory rules:

Inference: The jury may infer a depicted participant is a minor if the material (title/text/visuals) represents them as a minor.
Mistake of age is not a defense.
Offense class: Class E felony.

Cases that involve material similar to child pornography are taken extremely seriously, underlining the commitment to justice and preserving community safety.

Greensboro-Focused Defense Strategy

At Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, we defend these cases daily in Guilford County District & Superior Court. From day one we:

Lock down your rights – coordinate counsel before any interview, search, or device imaging.
Challenge the proof of “knowledge” – the State must show you knew the character/content of the material. We examine digital forensics, timestamps, cloud syncs, auto-downloads, and access logs. This is especially relevant in cases involving child pornography evidence where digital trails can be complex. UNC School of Government
Fight the “minor” element – the statute allows an inference that someone depicted as a minor is a minor; we counter with expert review (age-assessment limits, AI/CGI, morphing, deepfakes). In many cases, especially those potentially linked to child pornography, we carefully scrutinize whether the appearance of a minor is authentic and legally relevant. North Carolina General Assembly
Move to suppress – unlawful searches, bad warrants, overbroad device seizures, or chain-of-custody gaps can collapse a case. (See UNC and NC courts resources we rely on for motions practice.) UNC School of Government+1
Mitigate registration exposure – sexual exploitation offenses are “reportable convictions” that typically trigger sex-offender registration; we work to beat or reduce charges to avoid or limit registration obligations. This also means mitigating penalties and other legal repercussions that could impact your future. North Carolina General Assembly+1

Additionally, our experience spans neighboring regions such as South Carolina, where similar challenges in child pornography and sex exploit minor second degree cases exist. This cross-jurisdictional knowledge helps us build a robust defense strategy regardless of where the crime is prosecuted.

Felony Level & Sentencing — What a Class E Felony Faces in NC

Offense class: Second-degree sexual exploitation is a Class E felony. Sentencing in NC uses Structured Sentencing: the judge selects a minimum term from a grid based on the offense class (E) and the person’s Prior Record Level (I–VI) and then sets a corresponding maximum by statute. These penalties are designed to reflect the severity of the crime, including cases that involve elements of child pornography. North Carolina General Assembly+2North Carolina General Assembly+2

Key points for Class E sex offenses in NC:

Prior Record Level (PRL): Calculated from prior convictions; more points → higher PRL (I through VI). NC General Assembly
Ranges: The court chooses a Mitigated / Presumptive / Aggravated minimum within the Class-E cell for the defendant’s PRL. North Carolina General Assembly
Special “sex-offense” maximum rule (B1–E with registration): For reportable sex offenses, including those with links to child pornography, the maximum = (minimum × 1.20, rounded up to the next month) + 60 months (instead of +12). This also ties to 60 months of post-release supervision for these offenses. North Carolina Courts+2Collateral Consequences Assessment Tool+2
Disposition type: Depending on PRL and aggravation/mitigation, punishments can be active (prison) or intermediate/community; however, many Class E sex offenses will result in active time, especially at higher PRLs.
Registration: A conviction for any degree of sexual exploitation of a minor is a **“reportable conviction”**under NC’s Sex Offender Registration laws. Registration length and conditions are set by Article 27A. NC General Assembly+1

> Sentencing is fact- and record-specific. We analyze your PRL, aggravators/mitigators, and registration exposure before advising on total time, penalties, and strategy. Our focus is on ensuring justice is served while vigorously defending your rights. North Carolina Courts

FAQ — “Sex Exploit Minor 2nd Degree” (Greensboro, NC)

What does “sex exploit minor 2nd degree” actually mean in NC? It’s shorthand for Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor under G.S. 14-190.17—primarily recording/duplicating or distributing qualifying material (and certain child-sex-doll conduct). Cases may at times involve material that falls under the category of child pornography, further intensifying the legal repercussions. North Carolina General Assembly

Do prosecutors have to prove I knew what the files were? Yes. The statute requires that you knew the character or content of the material. We contest “knowledge” using forensics (auto-downloads, cloud syncs, shared devices, etc.). This is crucial whether the evidence involves general digital material or specific child pornography evidence. North Carolina General Assembly

Is “I thought they were 18” a defense? No. The statute says mistake of age is not a defense. North Carolina General Assembly

What if the content is AI/altered or only “appears” to show a minor? The law covers material created or modified to appear an identifiable minor is engaged in sexual activity, and it allows a jury inference that someone depicted as a minor is a minor—both issues we aggressively challenge with experts. This scrutiny is equally critical in cases where allegations of child pornography might be raised. North Carolina General Assembly

How is Second Degree different from Third Degree? Third-Degree generally covers possession of such material (and possession of a child sex doll), while Second-Degree involves creating/duplicating or distributing/transporting/etc. the material. North Carolina General Assembly

What felony level is Second Degree, and what time am I looking at? It’s a Class E felony. The exact months depend on your Prior Record Level and whether the court finds mitigating/presumptive/aggravating circumstances. For reportable sex offenses related to child pornography, the maximum = min × 1.20 + 60 months, and post-release supervision is 60 months. North Carolina General Assembly+2North Carolina General Assembly+2

Will I have to register as a sex offender if convicted? Sexual exploitation offenses (any degree) are reportable and typically require registration under NC law. We fight to avoid a reportable conviction or to reduce the impact and penalties associated with such legal repercussions. NC General Assembly+1

Can these cases be handled in Greensboro? Yes. We regularly defend these charges in Guilford County District & Superior Court and coordinate early with investigators, forensics, and motions practice. (Office: 317 S Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401; (336) 379-0539.) Our experience with similar crimes—even those with connections to South Carolina—ensures we bring a broad knowledge of regional challenges to your case. North Carolina Courts

What should I do right now? Do not talk to anyone but your lawyer, and do not attempt to delete or alter files/devices. Contact us immediately to protect your rights, ensuring that any potential child pornography evidence is carefully preserved for our forensic and constitutional review.

Potential Consequences if Convicted

Felony Level: Class E felony (serious prison exposure under NC’s Structured Sentencing, plus lengthy probation options). North Carolina General Assembly
Sex-Offender Registration: Generally required for first, second, and third-degree exploitation convictions; failure to register is a separate felony. ncsbi.gov+1
Collateral Impacts: Limits on employment, housing, travel, devices/Internet, and community restrictions tied to registration conditions. These penalties, along with other legal repercussions, can create long-lasting challenges.
Legal Repercussions: The conviction may lead to significant additional legal penalties if conditions related to child pornography or related offenses are found. Collateral Consequences Assessment Tool

Common Defense Issues We Investigate

Who controlled the account or device? Shared computers, public Wi‑Fi, hacked accounts, or malware can generate false “possession/distribution” indicators.
Auto-downloads & syncing from messaging apps, torrent clients, or cloud backups (no intent/knowledge).
AI-altered or “appears to be a minor” content vs. actual minor proof challenges. Cases involving material that might also be classified as child pornography are analyzed in detail. North Carolina General Assembly
Overbroad warrants / forensic methods—we scrutinize scope, keywords, and examination protocols. North Carolina Courts

Sex Exploit Minor Second Degree: What To Do Right Now

Do not discuss the case with anyone but your lawyer.
Do not attempt to delete files—that can create new charges or spoliation issues.
Call our Greensboro defense team at (336) 379-0539 for a confidential consultation or come to 317 S Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401. Early action is key to warding off severe penalties and ensuring justice on your behalf. Downtown Greensboro

FAQ: “Sex Exploit Minor 2nd Degree” in NC

What exactly is “sex exploit minor 2nd degree”? It’s the short way people describe Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (G.S. 14-190.17)—recording, duplicating, or distributing prohibited material (and certain child-sex-doll conduct). This shorthand also refers to what is legally known as the sex exploit minor second degree offense, a crime which can be linked with child pornography offenses. North Carolina General Assembly

Is “I thought they were 18” a defense? No. Mistake of age is not a defense in this statute. North Carolina General Assembly

Is simple possession the same charge? No. Possession is generally charged as Third-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor under G.S. 14-190.17A, a separate offense often associated with child pornography. NC General Assembly

Will I have to register as a sex offender if convicted? Sexual exploitation convictions typically require sex-offender registration in North Carolina. We fight to avoid a reportable conviction or to reduce the impact and additional penalties that follow. North Carolina General Assembly+1

Are these cases really prosecuted in NC? Yes—state prosecutions are active and often begin with cyber-tips or digital forensics. Recent NC cases reported, including cross-jurisdictional instances involving South Carolina, show active enforcement. (Each case is unique; media stories are not evidence of guilt.) Decider

Why Choose Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson

Greensboro-based criminal defense team with deep local court experience.
Full-scope defense: emergency response, forensic consulting, motion practice, trial, and negotiated resolutions that seek justice while mitigating severe penalties and legal repercussions.
Client-first access: fast consults, private strategy sessions, and proactive communication.

Free Confidential Consultation

Call (336) 379-0539 or visit us at 317 S Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401 to schedule a confidential strategy session with our criminal defense lawyers today. Our experience spans multiple jurisdictions including Greensboro, Asheboro and High Point, North Carolina, ensuring that no matter where the crime is prosecuted, you have seasoned legal representation fighting for your justice.