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Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-110

§2421 Transportation Generally

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

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Knowingly moving a person across state lines, to another country, or to a U.S. territory or possession so they will take part in prostitution or in any sexual act that is a crime — or trying to do that — is illegal. A person who does this can be fined under federal law, jailed for up to 10 years, or both. If a state attorney general asks the U.S. Attorney General to let a state or local lawyer bring charges in such a case, the U.S. Attorney General must allow it unless doing so would harm the fair administration of justice. If the request is denied, the U.S. Attorney General must give a detailed reason within 60 days.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §2421

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In General.—
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)Requests To Prosecute Violations by State Attorneys General.—
(1)In general.—
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)Reason for denial.—
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

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110