# W. Va. Code § 61-14-5: Sexual servitude; penalties

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A14_S5

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 61-14-5
- **Heading:** Sexual servitude; penalties
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 61 / Article 14 / Section 5

## Text

(a) Any person who knowingly uses coercion to compel an adult to engage in commercial sexual activity is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than three nor more than fifteen years, fined not more than $200,000, or both imprisoned and fined.

(b) Any person who knowingly maintains or makes available a minor for the purpose of engaging the minor in commercial sexual activity is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than ten nor more than twenty years, fined not more than $300,000, or both imprisoned and fined.

(c) It is not a defense in a prosecution under subsection (b) of this section that the minor consented to engage in commercial sexual activity, or that the defendant believed the minor was an adult.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 61-14-1 §61-14-1. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A14_S1.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-14-2 §61-14-2. Human trafficking of an individual; aiding and abetting human trafficking; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A14_S2.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-14-3 §61-14-3. Use of forced labor; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A14_S3.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-14-4 §61-14-4. Use of persons in debt bondage; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A14_S4.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-14-5 §61-14-5. Sexual servitude; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A14_S5.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-14-6 §61-14-6. Patronizing a victim of sexual servitude; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A14_S6.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-14-7 §61-14-7. General provisions and other penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A14_S7.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-14-8 §61-14-8. Immunity for minor victim of sex trafficking.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A14_S8.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-14-9 §61-14-9. Petition to vacate and expunge conviction or juvenile delinquency adjudication of sex trafficking victim.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A14_S9.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A14_S5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.