The Protect Act and Operation Predator
The Protect Act (Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to end the Exploitation of Children Today), became US law in April, 2003. It deals with several aspects of child abuse. Title I, Section 105 concerns child sex tourism.
Operation Predator is a law enforcement initiative of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), part of the Department of Homeland Security. It is aimed at enforcing the provisions of the Protect act.
This is the text of Title I, Section 105 of the Protect Act:
SEC. 105. PENALTIES AGAINST SEX TOURISM.
(a) In General.--Section 2423 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
[[Page 117 STAT. 654]]
``(b) Travel With Intent To Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct.--A
person who travels in interstate commerce or travels into the United
States, or a United States citizen or an alien admitted for permanent
residence in the United States who travels in foreign commerce, for the
purpose of engaging in any illicit sexual conduct with another person
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both.
``(c) Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct in Foreign Places.--Any
United States citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence who
travels in foreign commerce, and engages in any illicit sexual conduct
with another person shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not
more than 30 years, or both.
``(d) Ancillary Offenses.--Whoever, for the purpose of commercial
advantage or private financial gain, arranges, induces, procures, or
facilitates the travel of a person knowing that such a person is
traveling in interstate commerce or foreign commerce for the purpose of
engaging in illicit sexual conduct shall be fined under this title,
imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both.
``(e) Attempt and Conspiracy.--Whoever attempts or conspires to
violate subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) shall be punishable in the same manner as a completed violation of that subsection.
``(f) Definition.--As used in this section, the term `illicit sexual conduct' means (1) a sexual act (as defined in section 2246) with a person under 18 years of age that would be in violation of chapter 109A if the sexual act occurred in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States; or (2) any commercial sex act (as defined in section 1591) with a person under 18 years of age.
``(g) Defense.--In a prosecution under this section based on illicit sexual conduct as defined in subsection (f)(2), it is a defense, which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant reasonably believed that the person with whom the defendant engaged in the commercial sex act had attained the age of 18 years.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2423(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``or attempts to do so,''.
Here are some relevant links:
http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/missing/graphics/protectact2003.pdf
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/factsheets/operationpredator.htm
http://www.usembassy.ro/WF/300/04-11-24/eur315.htm