Min of 250 Words

Joe and Pete are roommates and computer consultants; They share the same computer. Even though they are both in their forties, they spend a lot of time discussing having sex with high school-age girls. Joe, unknowing to Pete, uses Pete's screen name and initiates a relationship online with a 14-year-old girl. After gaining the girl's confidence, Joe tells Pete about the situation. Pete agrees to join Joe when he goes to meet the girl. They bring their digital camera with the intent of taking compromising pictures of the girl. It turns out that the girl is really a member of the local police cybercrime police unit. When confronted, Joe and Pete tell the police that they were researching their computer consulting business.

Question: What crimes are Joe and Pete guilty of? Are there any possible defenses? What method would you utilize in researching the criminal aspects of this question as they relate to the above fact pattern?