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Home » Criminal Division » About The Criminal Division » Sections/Offices »
Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) » Subject Areas
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CRIMINAL CHILD EXPLOITATION AND OBSENITY SECTION (CEOS)

 * CEOS Home
 * CEOS Mission
 * Press Room
 * Subject Areas
   * Child Pornography
   * Child Sex Trafficking
   * Child Sexual Abuse
   * Child Support Enforcement
   * Extraterritorial Sexual Exploitation of Children
   * International Parental Kidnapping
   * Obscenity
   * Sex Offender Registration
   * 18 U.S.C §§ 2257- 2257A Certifications
 * Keeping Children Safe Online
 * Project Safe Childhood
 * Citizen's Guide to U.S. Federal Child Exploitation Laws
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OBSCENITY

> The Supreme Court has ruled that, “transmitting obscenity and child
> pornography, whether via the Internet or other means, is... illegal under
> federal law for both adults and juveniles.”
> 
> -Reno v. ACLU, 521 U.S. 844 (1998).

Obscenity

          Obscenity is not protected under First Amendment rights to free
speech, and violations of federal obscenity laws are criminal offenses.  The
U.S. courts use a three-pronged test, commonly referred to as the Miller test,
to determine if given material is obscene.  Obscenity is defined as anything
that fits the criteria of the Miller test, which may include, for example,
visual depictions, spoken words, or written text.
          Federal law makes it illegal to distribute, transport, sell, ship,
mail, produce with intent to distribute or sell, or engage in a business of
selling or transferring obscene matter. Convicted offenders face fines and
imprisonment.  Although the law generally does not criminalize the private
possession of obscene matter, the act of receiving such matter could violate
federal laws prohibiting the use of the mails, common carriers, or interactive
computer services for the purpose of transportation. (For more information, see
Citizen's Guide to Federal Law on Obscenity).

Obscenity Law and Minors

          Federal law strictly prohibits the distribution of obscene matter to
minors. Any transfer or attempt to transfer such material to a minor under the
age of 16, including over the Internet, is punishable under federal law.  It is
also illegal to use misleading website domain names with intent to deceive a
minor into viewing harmful or obscene material.  For example, using a cartoon
character or children´s television program in the domain of a website that
contains harmful or obscene material may be punishable under federal law.
          In addition, visual representations, such as drawings, cartoons, or
paintings that appear to depict minors engaged in sexual activity and are
obscene are also illegal under federal law.
          It is important to note that the standard for what is harmful to
minors may be different than the standard for adults, and offenders convicted of
obscenity crimes involving minors face harsher penalties than if the crimes
involved only adults (For more information, see Citizen's Guide to Federal Law
on Obscenity).

CEOS’s Role

          The Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) remains dedicated
to the enforcement of federal obscenity laws.  CEOS attorneys work with the High
Technology Investigative Unit (HTIU), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),
and United States Attorney´s Offices throughout the country to investigate and
prosecute violations of federal obscenity law.
          The use of the Internet to distribute obscenity has blurred
traditional notions of jurisdiction. CEOS maintains a coordinated,
national-level law enforcement focus to help coordinate nationwide
investigations and initiatives.  Given the importance of community standards
under the Miller test, however, CEOS recognizes that the full commitment and
support of local United States Attorney´s Offices, who best know local community
standards, are absolutely essential to the federal obscenity enforcement
efforts.

Updated March 29, 2021


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Leadership 

Steven J. Grocki
Chief, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section 

Contact 

CEOS Direct Line
(202) 514-5780


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