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Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73

§2421 Transportation generally

Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 117— - TRANSPORTATION FOR ILLEGAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND RELATED CRIMES › § 2421

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

It is a federal crime to knowingly move a person across state lines, between countries, or into a U.S. territory if you intend that person to take part in prostitution or any other sexual act that is illegal. Trying to do this is also a crime. A person who breaks this can be fined, put in prison for up to 10 years, or both. If a state attorney general asks, the U.S. Attorney General must allow a state or local lawyer to be given authority to prosecute violations of this law, unless that would harm the administration of justice. If the U.S. Attorney General refuses the request, they must give the state attorney general a detailed reason within 60 days.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §2421

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Whoever knowingly transports any individual in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any Territory or Possession of the United States, with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(b)(1)The Attorney General shall grant a request by a State attorney general that a State or local attorney be cross designated to prosecute a violation of this section unless the Attorney General determines that granting the request would undermine the administration of justice.
(2)If the Attorney General denies a request under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall submit to the State attorney general a detailed reason for the denial not later than 60 days after the date on which a request is received.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2421, act
June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 812;
May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 47, 63 Stat. 96; Pub. L. 99–628, § 5(b)(1), Nov. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 3511; Pub. L. 105–314, title I, § 106, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2977, related to transportation of individuals generally, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 114–22, title III, § 303,
May 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 255.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 2421

Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73