SentenceCalc

Selling or Buying Children for Exploitation Sentence Calculator

This page covers cases where a person sold or bought a child for use in producing sexually explicit material. Federal sentences for selling or buying children for exploitation are calculated under §2G2.3 of the Sentencing Guidelines, which starts at offense level 38 and adds levels for the facts of the case. At the starting level alone, someone with no criminal history points who pleads guilty scores 168–210 months under the guidelines. But a conviction under 18 U.S.C. §2251A carries a 30-year mandatory minimum. That is higher than this range, so the guideline sentence becomes 360 months (30 years).

Verified Checked against the manual text in at least five AI-assisted review rounds. Not yet reviewed by an attorney. Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 2025Updated October 4, 2026

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Starting level and typical ranges

These ranges use the starting level alone, before any adjustments, for someone with no criminal record unless the column says otherwise. Most real cases add levels.

Starting pointLevelTrialGuilty pleaPlea + zero-pointCategory IV, plea
Selling or buying a child for production of sexually explicit material, the starting point38235–293 months168–210 monthsn/a235–293 months

The 2-level zero-point reduction is not available for this kind of offense (§4C1.1).

Important details

  • A conviction under 18 U.S.C. §2251A carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison.

Frequently asked questions

What is the base offense level for selling or buying children for exploitation?

The guideline for selling or buying children for exploitation is §2G2.3 of the federal Sentencing Guidelines. Its starting level is 38, before any adjustments.

What is the guideline range for selling or buying children for exploitation with no criminal history points and a guilty plea?

Using the starting level alone, a person with no criminal history points who pleads guilty scores 168–210 months (14 years to 17 years, 6 months). But a conviction under 18 U.S.C. §2251A carries a 30-year mandatory minimum. That is higher than this range, so the guideline sentence becomes 360 months (30 years). Adjustments such as role in the offense or obstruction can change the level, and the judge can sentence outside the range, but not below a mandatory minimum that applies.

Is probation possible for selling or buying children for exploitation?

Not under the guidelines. Even at the starting level with a guilty plea the range is in Zone D, where the minimum must be served in prison. A judge may vary below the range, but not below a mandatory minimum that applies.

Is the calculator accurate for selling or buying children for exploitation?

It follows §2G2.3 of the Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 2025. It passed 5 review rounds, each comparing every number, rule and label with the manual text, and its last round found nothing to correct. Those reviews were done with AI tools, not by lawyers, and it has not yet been reviewed by an attorney, so mistakes are possible. The guidelines are advisory, and a lawyer who knows the case can tell you what actually applies.