Accused of a Sex Crime or Internet Offense?
Your Reputation. Your Freedom. Your Future. This Defense Cannot Wait.
Sex crime accusations are among the most serious and life-altering criminal charges a person can face. They carry mandatory prison sentences, lifetime sex offender registration, and a social stigma that follows a conviction forever. Carlo D'Angelo provides aggressive, confidential defense for clients accused of sex crimes — from state charges to federal internet and child exploitation offenses — and he treats every client with the dignity and discretion these cases demand.
Sex Crime and Internet Offense Charges in Texas
Texas sex crime charges range from sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault to indecency with a child, online solicitation of a minor, and promotion or possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Federal internet offense charges — brought under 18 U.S.C. §§ 2251–2260 — carry among the harshest mandatory minimum sentences in the federal criminal code.
What distinguishes sex crime cases is the enormous weight of accusation. Juries are emotionally primed against defendants in these cases, the media covers arrests as if they were convictions, and the collateral consequences — sex offender registration, residency restrictions, internet bans, loss of employment — begin before any verdict is reached. The defense must be immediate, thorough, and fearless.
Carlo D'Angelo does not shy away from these cases. He takes them seriously — because the consequences are serious — and he brings the same aggressive, evidence-focused approach to every client regardless of the charge. What You're Facing
Sexual Assault (Texas) — Second-Degree Felony
• 2 to 20 years in state prison
• Mandatory sex offender registration
Aggravated Sexual Assault — First-Degree Felony
• 5 to 99 years or life in prison
• Not eligible for standard parole in many cases
Indecency With a Child — Second or Third-Degree Felony
• 2 to 20 years (sexual contact); 2 to 10 years (exposure)
• Lifetime sex offender registration in most cases
Federal Child Exploitation (18 U.S.C. § 2251 et seq.)
• Production of CSAM: 15-year mandatory minimum; up to 30 years
• Distribution/Receipt of CSAM: 5-year mandatory minimum; up to 20 years
• Possession of CSAM: up to 10 years (no mandatory minimum for first offense)
• Online enticement of a minor: 10-year mandatory minimum
Collateral Consequences of Sex Offender Registration
• Lifetime public registration in many Texas cases
• Residency restrictions — cannot live near schools, parks, or day care centers
• Employment background checks and professional license revocation
• Internet and device restrictions under supervised release
• Travel restrictions — domestic and international.
Carlo's Defense Strategy in Sex Crime Cases
Challenging the Reliability of Accusations
Sex crime charges frequently originate from a single accusation with no physical corroboration. Carlo investigates the accuser's history, motivations, prior statements, and the circumstances under which the allegation emerged — including whether it arose in the context of a custody dispute, a mental health crisis, or coaching by a third party.
Forensic Digital Evidence Defense
Internet offense cases — possession or distribution of CSAM, online enticement — are built on digital evidence: IP addresses, device forensics, and metadata. Carlo retains qualified digital forensic experts to challenge the government's attribution of material to a specific person, examine whether devices were shared or compromised, and contest chain-of-custody issues in evidence collection.
Constitutional Challenges to Digital Searches
Federal internet offense investigations frequently involve surveillance, undercover operations, and digital searches that implicate the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. Carlo challenges the validity of search warrants for digital devices, the use of peer-to-peer monitoring software, and the admissibility of statements made in online communications.
Sentencing Mitigation in Federal Sex Crime Cases
When conviction is likely, the battle shifts to sentencing. Federal sex crime Guidelines often produce extreme recommended ranges. Carlo prepares comprehensive sentencing memoranda, retains psychological and psychiatric experts, and challenges enhancements — including image quantity enhancements, distribution enhancements, and role adjustments — to reduce sentencing exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I'm accused of a sex crime but haven't been arrested, should I get an attorney?
Immediately. Pre-arrest representation is among the most valuable services a criminal defense attorney can provide. Carlo can monitor the investigation, advise you on what not to say, and in some cases intervene with investigators or prosecutors before charges are filed. Anything you say to law enforcement before retaining counsel can and will be used against you.
Q: Do I have to register as a sex offender if convicted in Texas?
It depends on the specific offense, but most Texas sex crime convictions require registration under the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program. Some offenses require lifetime registration; others have defined registration periods. The registration requirement begins immediately upon release and covers your address, employment, and online identifiers. This is one of the most important reasons to fight every sex crime charge as aggressively as possible.
Q: Can a sex crime conviction be expunged in Texas?
No. Sex crime convictions — including deferred adjudication in many cases — cannot be expunged or sealed under Texas law. The record is permanent. This makes the outcome of the criminal case the most important event in your life. Carlo's goal in every sex crime case is to prevent a conviction from ever occurring.
Q: What is an undercover internet sting operation and can it be challenged?
Federal and state law enforcement agencies operate online undercover operations in which agents pose as minors or distributors of child sexual abuse material to identify and arrest offenders. These operations are legally permissible, but they raise significant entrapment, predisposition, and due process issues that Carlo explores in every case.
The Stakes Could Not Be Higher. Your Defense Starts Now.
Carlo D'Angelo provides aggressive, confidential defense for clients facing sex crime and internet offense charges. Every call is confidential. Every case is treated with the seriousness it deserves.