Paroling, Recommitting, and Supervising Federal Prisoners: Sex Offenses Against Minors Age 12 and Older

Résumé

The U.S. Parole Commission is adding to its guidelines, under the heading of ``Carnal Knowledge or Sodomy Involving Minors'' a provision increasing the offense severity rating from Category Four to Category Seven for any crime involving an adult offender who has abused a position of trust (e.g., teacher, counselor, or physician), or who has engaged in predatory sexual behavior. The purpose of this guideline amendment is to clarify the aggravated nature of such crimes in relation to all other offenses that involve non-forcible sexual relations between an adult and a minor age 12 or older. This item was published as a proposed rule on May 20, 1994. 59 FR 26466. The guideline increase follows a Congressional directive that, when the Commission frequently exceeds the guidelines in a particular type of case, the guidelines should be amended to provide for consistency in such decisions.