It is not a prostitution case anymore - it is a human trafficking or commercial sexual abuse of a minor case, and those are felonies with decades of potential incarceration, mandatory sex offender registration, and often federal exposure. Rhode Island law does not recognize a "mistake of age" defense in most charging scenarios, meaning it does not matter whether the minor claimed to be 18, whether the ad said "21," or whether the setting suggested an adult environment. The prosecution only needs to prove actual age. Federal investigators frequently take over these cases under 18 U.S.C. § 2423 and related statutes. If you are facing any allegation involving a minor, stop reading generic guides and call a Rhode Island felony defense lawyer today. This is not a DIY situation.