Abduction for Prostitution (Post 4 of 5)

September 30, 2016 by Jean Humbrecht

Virginia abduction for prostitutionAbduction in Virginia for immoral purposes is considered aggravated abduction and significantly increases the penalties for an abduction conviction.  Aggravated abduction in Virginia is charged under Va. Code §18.2-48 and is committed when an offender abducts a person with the intent to extort money, abducts with intent to defile, abducts a minor for concubinage or prostitution or any person for the purposes of prostitution, or abducts a minor to manufacture child pornography.

This is the 4th post in a 5 part series discussing how an offender can be convicted of aggravated abduction in Virginia.  This post focuses on abduction for the purpose of prostitution in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-48(iv)).

For more information on abduction with intent to extort, see post 1 in this series.  See post 2 in this series for more information on abduction with intent to defile.  See post 3 in this series for more information on abduction of a minor for concubinage or prostitution.  For more information on abduction of a minor to manufacture child pornography, see post 5 in this series.

Virginia Abduction for Prostitution Charge

Aggravated abduction under Va. Code §18.2-48(iv) is committed when an offender abducts a person for the purpose of prostitution.  The Commonwealth must prove both that the offender abducted the victim and did so for the purpose of prostitution to convict an offender of abduction under §18.2-48(iv).  An offender commits a Virginia abduction for prostitution by:

  • using force, intimidation or deception to
  • seize, take, transport, detain or secrete
  • another person (male or female)
  • with intent to deprive that person of personal liberty or withhold that person from lawful custody
  • without legal justification or excuse
  • for the purpose of prostitution.
Penalty for Virginia Abduction for Prostitution Charge

Aggravated Abduction in Virginia under Va. Code §18.2-48 is a Class 2 felony.  As a result, a Virginia abduction for prostitution charge is punished with 20 years up to life in prison.  If the offender receives anything less than a sentence of life in prison, the judge must also impose a mandatory minimum suspended prison sentence of 40 years.  This sentence will be suspended for the rest of the offender’s life.

Virginia Abduction for Prostitution Statute

§18.2-48. Abduction with intent to extort money or for immoral purpose.

Abduction (i) of any person with the intent to extort money or pecuniary benefit, (ii) of any person with intent to defile such person, (iii) of any child under sixteen years of age for the purpose of concubinage or prostitution, (iv) of any person for the purpose of prostitution, or (v) of any minor for the purpose of manufacturing child pornography shall be punishable as a Class 2 felony. If the sentence imposed for a violation of (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) includes a term of confinement less than life imprisonment, the judge shall impose, in addition to any active sentence, a suspended sentence of no less than 40 years. This suspended sentence shall be suspended for the remainder of the defendant’s life subject to revocation by the court.