§1466A Obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children

Summary

Makes it a federal crime to knowingly make, share, receive, or have with the intent to share visual images that sexualize minors when certain conditions apply. The rule covers two kinds of images: (1) images that show a minor in sexually explicit activity and are obscene, and (2) images that show or look like a minor in graphic bestiality, sadistic or masochistic abuse, or sexual intercourse (including genital‑to‑genital, oral‑genital, anal‑genital, or oral‑anal) that do not have serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. Simple possession of such images is also illegal under the same conditions. The law applies when the images are sent, received, transported, made, or used through the mail, across state or international lines, by computer or other interstate means, during interstate travel, or in U.S. territories or special maritime areas. It does not matter whether a real minor actually existed. A person accused of simple possession can avoid conviction if they had fewer than 3 images and promptly and in good faith destroyed them or reported them to law enforcement and let the agency see them. “Visual depiction” includes drawings, photos, films, videos, digital or computer images, undeveloped film, and similar media. “Graphic” means a viewer can see any genitals or pubic area.