Dallas Traveling with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct Attorney

You’ve been accused of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Maybe federal agents showed up at your home, or you learned about an investigation before an arrest. Right now, you may not even understand what you’re being accused of, only that your name, freedom, and future are suddenly at risk. You are not alone, and you are not powerless. What you do next matters more than anything else.

At Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, we respond to these cases with precision and force. Led by Attorney Patrick J. McLain, a former prosecutor, judge, and U.S. Marine Corps officer with more than three decades of courtroom experience, our firm is known for decisive action in high-stakes federal matters. We know how to confront the government’s evidence, expose weaknesses in investigations, and protect what matters most: your freedom, your reputation, and your future.

Call (214) 238-9392 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Proactive Federal Defense for 18 U.S. Code § 2423 Charges in Texas

Federal law under 18 U.S. Code § 2423 makes it a serious offense to travel across state or national borders with the intent to engage in sexual activity that would be illegal under local or federal law. It also criminalizes persuading or attempting to persuade another person to travel for that purpose.

These charges often begin with online activity. Federal agents monitor chat rooms, social media, and messaging platforms, looking for communication that they believe shows criminal intent. Once investigators think they have enough, they move quickly to secure search warrants, seize digital devices, and interrogate suspects.

Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC intervenes early to counter these tactics. Our team acts immediately to identify vulnerabilities in the government’s investigation and to limit public exposure from the outset. We focus on decisive, protective measures such as:

• Reviewing every search warrant and seizure report for constitutional violations
• Challenging the government’s interpretation of “intent” in online communications
• Demanding full disclosure of digital forensic methods used to collect data
• Moving to suppress unlawfully obtained or misrepresented evidence

This level of early engagement helps control the narrative before it defines your case in court.

We Are a Firm Led by a Former Federal Prosecutor Who Knows the Government’s Playbook

Few defense lawyers understand the inner workings of the Department of Justice like Patrick J. McLain. Before establishing Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Texas, prosecuting the same categories of cases he now defends. Before that, he spent twenty years in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as both a Courts-Martial Trial Judge and a Supervising Prosecutor.

That rare combination of roles allows Mr. McLain to see a case from every angle: defense, prosecution, and judicial review. He understands how prosecutors frame arguments, where they are most likely to overreach, and what tactics are used to pressure defendants into plea agreements.

When you are represented by Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, that knowledge becomes a strategic weapon in your defense. The firm uses this internal understanding to anticipate the government’s moves and disrupt its process before trial even begins.

Strategic Defense Against Entrapment & Federal Overreach

Many traveling-with-intent cases are built through sting operations where agents pose as minors or intermediaries online. These operations often rely on manipulative interactions that blur the line between lawful investigation and entrapment.

Entrapment occurs when the government induces someone to commit a crime they otherwise would not have committed. We methodically expose these abuses through targeted defense tactics.

Our team works to:

• Analyze chat logs and digital communications for signs of coercion or inducement
• Identify moments where agents escalated or manipulated conversation threads
• File motions to suppress evidence obtained through unlawful searches or fabricated consent
• Highlight procedural errors or investigative bias that undermine credibility

By challenging how evidence was obtained and how intent was inferred, we weaken the foundation of the prosecution’s case and often limit its ability to move forward at trial.

Full-Service Representation from Investigation to Trial

Federal sex crime cases demand coordination, precision, and endurance. A fragmented defense is no match for the resources of the federal government. That is why Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC operates as a full-service law firm capable of handling every stage of your defense in-house.

From the moment we are retained, we begin gathering intelligence, contacting agents, and reviewing every page of discovery. We act quickly to preserve evidence, protect your rights, and position your case for the strongest possible outcome.

Our comprehensive structure includes:

• A private investigator who works with the firm’s defense attorneys
• Associate attorneys and paralegals assigned to ongoing case development
• Bilingual support staff for English and Spanish communication
• Secure virtual consultation options for clients unable to appear in person

Every case is prepared as if it will go to trial. This level of readiness allows us to negotiate from a position of strength and defend effectively in front of a jury when necessary.

Deep Resources for Complex Federal Sex Crime Defense

The federal government brings massive resources to every case it prosecutes. Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC matches that strength by working with a national network of experts who specialize in digital and forensic evidence.

We collaborate with computer forensic specialists, former law enforcement professionals, and digital communication analysts to evaluate the accuracy and context of the government’s claims. These experts help us uncover critical details that can shift the outcome of a case, including metadata inconsistencies, evidence tampering, or improper handling of seized devices.

Our approach is deliberate, evidence-driven, and aimed at building reasonable doubt through objective fact, not speculation.

What’s at Stake in a Traveling with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct Case

A conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 2423 carries a potential penalty of up to 30 years in federal prison. Even before trial, the damage can be catastrophic. Defendants face:

• Mandatory sex offender registration
• Public exposure that harms careers and reputations
• Permanent digital records that cannot easily be erased
• Severe restrictions on travel, housing, and employment

For military members, consequences can also include discharge, loss of benefits, and destruction of long-term retirement plans. Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC understands the weight of these penalties and the fear that follows such accusations. Every strategy we build is designed to protect not only your case but also your life beyond it.

Your Reputation. Your Career. Your Freedom. All Worth Defending.

Being charged with a federal sex offense does not only threaten your freedom. It attacks your identity, your credibility, and your ability to move forward. Once your name appears in a criminal complaint, judgment begins before the first hearing. Employers may distance themselves, colleagues may withdraw, and relationships may be strained.

At Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, we defend against more than the charges on paper. We protect the person behind them. Our work extends beyond the courtroom to mitigate the personal and professional impact of a federal allegation. That includes preparing statements for licensing boards, addressing online exposure, and coordinating damage control when reputational risk becomes immediate.

You have spent years building your name, career, and stability. Our mission is to defend all of it with the same intensity we bring to trial.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can someone be charged even if no sexual act occurred?

Yes. The law allows prosecution based solely on the alleged intent to engage in sexual conduct, even if the meeting never took place. Because intent is subjective, these cases depend heavily on interpretation. Our experienced defense team can dispute whether the evidence truly reflects criminal purpose.

How does entrapment apply in these cases?

Entrapment occurs when law enforcement induces someone to commit a crime they were not predisposed to commit. In sting operations, investigators sometimes create the entire scenario leading to arrest. Defense counsel can examine the communications and agent behavior to show the government crossed that line.

What should I do if I’m being investigated or contacted by federal agents?

Do not engage in conversation with agents or investigators without your attorney present. Anything you say can later be used to support charges or establish intent. Politely refuse to answer questions and contact a defense lawyer immediately. Early legal guidance is essential to avoid damaging your position.

Do not wait for federal charges to progress. Call (214) 238-9392 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation today.