FI FTH DI VI SI ON

DI L LA RD, P. J.

, REESE and BETHEL, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be

ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n

da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

M ar ch 1, 2017



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 6 A2 12 0 . SM ITH v . STATE.

D I LLA R D , Pres i d i n g J u d g e.

In t h i s i n t erl o cu t o ry ap p eal

, J o s h ua Sm i t h ap p eal s t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s d en i al o f h i s

g en eral an d s p eci al d em

urrers t o t he ch arg ed o ffen s e s o f c r i m i n al at t em p t t o en t i ce

a ch i ld fo r i n decen t p urp os es (“ at t em pt ed -en t i cem en t”) an d ch i l d p o rn o g rap hy

. As to

t h e at t em p t ed -en t icem en t o ffen s e, Sm i t h arg u es t h at t he t ri al co u rt erred b ecau s e t h e

i n d i ct m en t fai l ed to al l eg e a v i o l at io n o f Geo rg i a l aw an d t h ere was a fat al v ari an ce

b et ween t h e ch arg ed o ffen se an d t h e l an g u ag e o f t h e i n di ct m en t

. As t o t h e ch il d

p o rn og rap hy o ffen s e, Sm it h m ai n t ai n s t h at t h e t ri al co urt erred b ecau s e t h i s co u n t was

p red i cat ed o n th e d efi ci en t at t em p t ed -en t i cem en t co un t an d t he i n d i ct m en t fai l ed to

s p eci fy th e co n d u ct t h at i s al l eg ed t o b e, b y i t s n at ure, an u n l awfu l s ex u al o ffen s e

ag ai n s t a ch i l d

. Fo r t he reas o ns s et fo rt h i n f r a , we affi rm

i n p art an d rev ers e i n p art

.Al t h ou g h o u r d eci s i o n t u rn s s o l el y o n t h e l an g u a g e o f t h e i n d i ct m en t

, a

s u m m ary o f t h e b ack g ro u n d u n d erl y i n g t h e cas e i s h el p fu l t o pro v i de co n t ex t fo r t h i s

ap p eal

. Sp eci fi cal l y

, t he reco rd s h o ws t h at o n M arch 1 4, 2 0 15

, l aw-en fo rcem en t

o ffi cers wi t h t h e P o o ler Po l i ce Dep art m en t, al o n g wi t h ag en t s fro m t he Fed eral

Bu reau o f In ves t i g at i on

, o b tai n ed s ev eral ro o m s at a l o cal m o t el

. Aft er d o i ng s o

, t h ey

p l a ced an ad v ert i s em en t o n t h e In t ern et i n d i cat in g t hat t h ere was a fem al e a l o n e i n

o n e o f t he ro o m s an d p ro v i d ed an u n d erco v er o ffi cer’ s ph o n e n u m b er. Sh o rt l y

t h ereaft er, th e offi cer b eg an recei v i n g re s p o n s es v i a t ex t m es s ag e, an d he i n fo rm ed

o n e i nd i v i d u al

— lat er id en t i f i e d a s Sm i t h

— t h at t h e fem al e referen ced i n t h e

ad v ert i s em en t was un d er t h e ag e o f 16

. Sm i t h t h en ex ch an g ed m es s ag es o f a s ex u al

n at u re wi t h t h e o ffi cer, an d ev en t u al l y

, Sm i t h ag reed t o co m e t o t h e ro o m wh ere h e

b el i ev ed t h e m i n o r fem a l e w o u l d b e wai t i n g fo r h i m

. Bu t wh en Sm it h arri v ed

, h e

en co un t ered l aw-en fo rcem en t o ffi cers an d was i m m ed i at el y t ak en i nt o cu s to d y

.

Su b s eq uen t l y

, Sm i t h was ch arg ed wi t h co m p u t er p orn o g rap hy (Co u n t 1 ),

o b s cen e t el ep h o n e co n t act w i t h a c h i l d ( Co un t 2 ), an d cri m i n al at t em p t t o en t i ce a

ch i l d fo r i n d ecen t p urp o s es (Co u n t 3 ). 1 Sm i t h t h en fi l ed a g en eral d em urrer, s p eci al

1 Al t h ou g h Co un t 3 o f th e i n d ict m en t i s en t i t l ed “ en ti ci n g a ch i l d fo r i n d ecen t

p u rp os es

, O.G.G.A. [§ ] 16 -6 -5 ,” t h e i n d ict m en t

, i n s ub s t an ce, ch arg es o n l y t h at Sm i th

i n t en d ed t o co m

m i t t hat cri m e an d t o o k a “ s u b s t an t i al st ep ” t o w ard d o in g s o

. Un d er

2d em

u rrer, an d m o t i o n t o q u as h a l l t h r e e co un t s o f in d i ct m en t

. Aft er t h e St at e’ s

res p o n s e an d a h eari n g o n th e m at t er, t h e t r i a l c o u r t d en i ed Sm it h ’ s g en eral an d

s p eci al d em

u rrers as to Co u nt s 1 an d 3

, b u t g ran t ed hi s g en eral d em u rrer as t o Co u nt

2

. Th e co u rt a l s o g r a n t e d Sm i t h a cert i fi cat e of i m m ed i at e rev i ew, an d we t h en

g ran t ed h i s ap p l i cat i o n fo r an i n t erl o cu t o ry ap p eal . Th i s ap p eal fo ll o ws

.

An accu s ed m ay ch al l en g e t h e su ffi ci en cy o f an in di ct m en t b y fi l in g a g en eral

o r s p eci al d em

u rrer. 2 A g en eral d em

u rrer ch al l en g es “ t h e s uffi ci en cy o f t he s u b s t a nce

o f t h e i nd i ct m en t

, wh ereas a s p eci al d em urrer ch al len g es th e su ffi ci en cy o f t h e f o r m

o f th e i n d i ct m en t .” 3 An i n d i ct m en t s h al l b e deem ed su ffi ci en t l y t ech n i cal an d co rrect

t o wi t h s tan d a g en eral d em urrer i f “ i t s t at es t h e o ffen s e i n t h e t erm s an d l an g u ag e o f

s u ch ci rcu m s t an ces

, we co n s i d er Co u n t 3 of t he i nd i ct m en t t o h av e ch a r g ed Sm i th

wi t h cri m i nal a t t emp t t o v i o l at e OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5

, rat h er t h an wi t h a co m p l et ed

v i o l at i o n o f t h at st at u te. S ee OCGA § 1 6 -4 -1 (“ A p ers o n co m m it s t h e o ffen s e o f

cri m i n al at t em

p t wh en

, w i t h in t en t t o co m m i t a s p eci fi c cri m e, h e p e r f o r m s an y act

wh i ch co n s t i t u t es a s u b s t an t i al st ep t o ward th e co m m i s s i o n of t hat cri m e.”); Den n ar d

v. St a t e

, 2 4 3 G a. Ap p

. 8 6 8

, 8 7 1 (1 ) (a) (5 3 4 SE2 d 1 8 2 ) (2 0 0 0) (“ [A] p ers on i s g ui l t y

o f cri m i n al at t em

pt i f wi t h i n t en t t o co m

m i t a s p eci fi c cri m e, h e p e r f o r m s an y act

wh i ch co n s t i t u t es a s u b s tan t i al s t ep t o ward t h e c o m m i s s i o n o f t h at cri m e.”

(p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed )); s ee a l s o i n f r a n o te 8

.

2 S t a t e v. H

a r l a ch er

, 33 6 Ga. Ap p. 9

, 1 0 (7 8 3 SE2 d 4 1 1) (2 0 1 6 ); a cco r d S t a t e

v. Co r h en , 3 0 6 Ga. Ap p . 4 95

, 4 9 6 (7 0 0 SE2 d 9 1 2 ) (2 0 10 ).

3 H a r l a ch er

, 3 3 6 Ga. A pp

. at 1 0 (p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ); s ee a l so Du n b a r v

. S t a t e , 2 0 9 Ga. Ap p

. 9 7 , 9 8 (2 ) (4 3 2 SE2 d 8 29 ) (1 9 9 3 ).

3t h i s Co d e o r s o p l a i n l y t h at t h e n at ure o f t h e o ffen s e ch arg ed m ay eas i l y b e

u n d ers t o o d b y t h e ju ry

. ” 4 In o t h er wo rd s

,

i f an accu s ed wo ul d b e g u i l t y of t h e cri m e ch arg ed i f t h e fact s as al l eg ed

i n t h e i n d i c t m en t are t ak en as t ru e, t h en t h e i n d i ct m en t i s s uffi ci en t t o

wi t h st an d a g en eral d em

u rrer; h o wev er, i f an accu s ed can ad m i t t o al l o f

t h e fact s ch arg ed i n t he i n d i ct m en t an d st i ll b e i n n ocen t o f a cri m e, t he

i n d i ct m en t i s i n s u ffi ci en t an d i s s u b ject t o a g en eral d em

u rrer. 5

Fu rt h erm o re, t h is Co u rt rev iews a t ri al co u rt ’ s ru l i n g on a g en eral or s p eci al d em u rrer

d e n o vo i n o rd er t o d et erm i n e “ wh et h er t he al leg at i o n s i n t h e i n d ict m en t are l eg al l y

s u ffi ci en t .” 6 W i t h t h e s e g u i di ng p ri n ci pl es in m i n d

, we wi l l n o w ad d res s Sm i t h ’ s

s p eci fi c cl ai m s o f erro r.

1

. In t wo s ep arat e en u m erat i o n s o f erro r, Sm i t h arg u es th at t h e t ri al co u rt erred

i n d en y i n g h i s g en eral d em u rrer t o Co un t 3 o f t h e in d i ct m en t b e c au s e i t fai l ed to

al l eg e a v i o l at i o n o f Geo rg i a l aw. W e d i s ag ree.

In rel ev an t p art , Co u n t 3 o f t h e i n d i ct m en t ch arg ed t h at

4 OCGA § 1 7 -7 -5 4 (a); s ee a ls o Ha r l a ch er , 3 3 6 Ga. Ap p . at 1 0

.

5 Co rh en

, 3 0 6 Ga. Ap p

. at 4 9 7; see a l s o Lo we v. S t a t e

, 2 7 6 Ga. 5 38

, 5 3 9 (2 )

(5 7 9 SE2 d 7 2 8 ) (2 0 0 3 ); Du n ba r , 2 0 9 Ga. Ap p. at 9 8 (2 ).

6 S a l l ee v. S t a t e

, 3 2 9 Ga. Ap p

. 6 1 2

, 6 1 6 (2 ) ( 7 6 5 SE2 d 7 5 8 ) (2 0 1 4 ); s ee a l s o

Ha r la ch er

, 3 3 6 Ga. Ap p . at 1 0

.

4o n o r ab o u t t h e 14 t h d ay o f March

, 20 1 5

, wi t h t he i n t en t to co m m it th e

cri m e o f [e] nt i ci n g a [c] h il d fo r [i ] n d ecen t [p ]u rp o s es

, [Sm i t h ] d i d

u n l awfu l l y p erfo rm an a c t c o n s t i t u t in g a s u b s t an t i al s t ep t o w ard th e

co m m i s s i o n o f s ai d cri m e, t o wi t : d i d u n l awfu l l y s o l i ci t an d en t i ce

an o t her p ers o n b el i ev ed b y s ai d accu sed t o b e a ch i l d u nd er 1 6 y ears o f

ag e, t o m eet h i m w hen h e arri v ed at [a m o t e l ] i n Po o l er, Geo rg i a, an d

d i d t rav el t o su ch m o t el fo r t h e p u rp o se o f co m m i t t in g in d ecen t act s an d

ch i l d m o l es t at i o n u po n s ai d ch i l d

. . . i n v i o l at i o n o f Co d e Sect i o n 1 6-6

-

5

. . . .

An d u n d er OCGA § 16 -6 -5 (a), “ [a] p ers o n co m m i t s t he o ffen se o f en t i ci n g a ch i ld

fo r i nd ecen t p u rp os es wh en h e o r s h e s o l i ci t s

, en t i ces

, or t ak es an y ch i l d u n der t h e ag e

o f 1 6 y ears t o an y p l ace wh at s o ev er fo r t he p u rp o se o f ch i l d m o l es t at i o n or i n d ecen t

act s .”

As n o t ed s u

p r a

, Sm i t h arg u es t h at Co u n t 3 o f t h e i n d i ct m en t was in su ffi ci en t

t o w i t hs t an d a g en eral dem u rrer b ecau s e i t fai l ed t o al l eg e a v i o l at i on o f Geo rg i a l aw.

Sp eci fi cal l y

, Sm i t h co n t en d s t h at t h e i n di ct m en t fai l ed t o al l eg e a v i o l at i o n o f OCGA

§ 1 6 -6 -5 (a) b ecau s e it ch arg ed h i m wi t h en t i ci n g an o t h er p ers o n wh o h e b el i eved to

b e un d er t h e ag e o f 1 6

, wh il e t h e l an g u ag e o f t h e s t at u t e req u i res t he St at e t o p ro v e

t h at h e en t i ced an act u al ch i l d v i ct i m

. Th i s arg u m en t is a n o n s t art er. Sm i t h was n ot

ch arg ed wi t h a co m

p l et ed v i o l at i o n o f OCGA § 16 -6 -5 (a), b ut wi t h h av i n g th e i n t en t

5t o co m

m i t t h at o ffen s e an d p erfo rm i n g an act t h at co n s ti t u t ed a s u b s t an t i al s t ep

t o ward d o i n g s o. 7 Th u s, al t h o u g h Co u n t 3 was en ti t l ed “ en t i ci n g a ch i l d fo r i n d ecen t

p u rp os es , O.G.G.A. [§ ] 16 -6 -5 ,” t h e p ert i n en t qu es t i o n b efo re t h i s Co urt is wh et h er

t h e i n d i ct m en t was s u ffi ci en t t o al l eg e a n a t temp t ed v i ol at io n o f OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5 (a). 8

W e ag ree wi t h Sm i t h t h at a co mp l et ed v i o l at i o n o f OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5 (a) req u i res

t h at t h e en t i cem en t b e o f a v i ct i m wh o i s an act u al ch i l d u n d er t h e ag e o f 1 6. In d eed

,

i n ev al u at i n g an y s t at u t e, we m u s t “ affo rd t h e s t at u t o ry t ex t i t s p l a i n an d o rd i n ary

m ean i n g , we m

us t v iew t h e s t at u t o ry t ex t i n t he co n t ex t i n wh i ch i t ap p ears

, an d we

m u st read t h e s t at u t o ry t ex t i n i t s m o s t n at u ral an d reas o n ab l e way, a s an o rd i n ary

s p eak e r o f t h e En g l i s h l an g uag e wo u l d .” 9 An d OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5 (a) u n d ou b t ed l y

7 S ee s u p r a n o t e 1

.

8 S ee O CGA § 1 6 -4 -1 (“ A p ers o n co m m i t s t h e o ffen s e o f cri m i n al at t em pt

wh en

, wi t h i n t en t t o co m

m i t a sp eci fi c cri m e, h e p erfo rm s an y act w h i ch co n s t i t u t es

a s u bs t an t i al s t ep to wa r d t h e co m m i s s io n o f t h at cri m e.”); Mo rr i s v. St a t e

, 3 1 0 Ga.

Ap p

. 1 2 6

, 1 3 1 (3 ) (7 1 2 SE2 d 13 0 ) (2 0 1 1 ) (“ It i s i m m at eri al wh at t h e o ffen s e i s cal l ed

i n t h e i n d i ct m en t as l on g as t he av erm en t s o f th e p res en t m en t are s u ch as to d es cri b e

an o ffen s e ag ai n s t t h e l aws of t he St at e.” (p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed )); Hi l l v. S ta t e

, 2 5 7 Ga.

Ap p

. 8 2

, 84 (1 ) (5 7 0 SE2 d 3 95 ) (2 0 0 2 ) (“ It i s t h e des cri p t i o n o f t he cri m e, rat h er t h an

t h e d es cri p t i on an d n um

ber o f th e s ect i o n u n der w h i ch i t ap p ears i n t h e Co d e wh i ch

fu rn i sh es t h e cri t eri o n fo r det erm i n i n g wh et h er th e i nd i ct m en t i s g o o d .” (p u n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed )).

9 Ma t h i s v. St a t e

, 33 6 Ga. Ap p

. 2 5 7

, 25 9 (7 8 4 SE2 d 9 8 ) (2 0 1 6 ) ( p u n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed ); a cco r d Dea l v. Co l ema n

, 2 9 4 Ga. 1 7 0

, 1 7 2 (1 ) (a) (7 5 1 SE2 d 3 3 7 ) (2 0 1 3 );

6req u i res t h ere t o b e s o l i ci tat io n o r en t i cem en t o f an act u al vi ct i m u n d er t h e ag e o f 1 6,

rat h er t h an o f s o m eo n e, as i n t h i s cas e, wh o t h e accu s ed m erel y b el i eved t o b e a

ch i l d

. 1 0 In fact

, n o t o nl y m us t t h ere b e a ch i l d vi ct i m fo r a v i o l at i o n o f OCGA § 1 6 -6

-

5 (a), t h e st at ut e al s o i n cl u des an as p o rt at i o n el em en t

, wh i ch req u i res s o m e m o v em en t

o f t h at c h i l d

. 1 1 Th u s

, th e ex i s t en ce o f a s p eci fi c ch i l d v i ct i m is p l ai n ly an es s en t i al

el em en t t h at t h e St at e m

u s t al l eg e t o su ffi ci en tl y ch arg e a d efen d an t wi t h en t i cem en t

o f a ch i l d fo r i n d ecen t p urp os es i n v i o l at io n o f OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5 (a). 1 2

s ee al s o Ti bb l es v. Tea ch er

s Ret i r emen t S

ys

. of Ga

. , 2 9 7 Ga. 5 5 7

, 5 5 8 (7 7 5 SE2 d 5 2 7 )

(2 0 1 5 ) (“ A st at u t e d raws i t m ean i n g

, o f co u rs e, fro m i t s t ex t .” (p u n ct uat i o n an d

ci t at i o n o m i t t ed )).

1 0 S ee OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5 (a) ( “ A p ers o n co m m i t s th e o ffen s e o f en t i ci ng a ch i ld

fo r i n d ecen t p u rp o s es wh en h e o r s h e s o l i ci ts

, en t i ces

, o r t a kes a n y ch i l d u n d e r t h e

a g e o f 1 6 yea rs t o an y p l ace wh at s o ev er fo r t h e p u rp o se o f ch i l d m o l es t at i o n o r

i n d ecen t act s.” (em

ph as i s s up p l i ed )).

1 1 S ee Ci mi l d o r o v. S t a t e

, 25 9 Ga. 7 8 8

, 7 8 9 ( 38 7 SE2 d 3 3 5 ) (1 9 9 0 ) (“ Th e

o ffen s e d es cri bed i n OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5

, ‘ en t i ci n g a ch i ld fo r i n d e c e n t p u r p o s es ,’ h as

b een h el d t o i ncl u d e t h e el em en t o f ‘ as p o rt at i o n .’ ”); He a r d v

. S t a t e

, 3 1 7 Ga. Ap p.

6 6 3

, 6 65 (7 3 1 SE2 d 12 4 ) (2 0 1 2 ) (“ Th e as p o rt at i o n el em en t o f [OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5 (a)]

i s s at i s fi ed wh et h er th e ‘ t ak i n g ’ i n v o l v es p h y s i cal fo rce, en ti cem en t

, o r pers u as i o n.

Th e co n cep t o f as p o rt at i o n rel at es t o m o v em e n t

. . . .” (p u n ct u at i o n an d ci t at i o n

o m it t ed )).

1 2 To t h e ex t en t t h at t h e St at e, i n t hei r cu rs ory b ri ef, s u g g es t s t h at a ch il d v i ct i m

i s n o t req u i red fo r a v i o l at i o n o f OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5 (a), we n o te t h a t t h e c o m p u terp o rn og rap hy s tat u t e (OCGA § 1 6 -1 2 -1 0 0

. 2 (d ) (1 )), u n l i k e OCGA § 1 6-6 -5 (a),

ex p res s l y p ro v i des t h a t t h e pro h i b i t ed o n l in e s o l ici t at i o n m ay b e o f “ a ch i l d [o r]

7Bu t ag ai n

, t h e in d i ct m en t h ere o n l y ch arg ed Sm i t h wi t h an a tt emp t ed vi o l at i o n

o f OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5 (a), an d “ t h e m ere fact t h at [t h e ex i s ten ce o f a ch i l d v i ct i m ] i s an

e l e m e n t o f t h e co m

p l et ed cri m e d o es n o t m ean t h at it i s i n d i s p en s ab l e i n p ro v i n g

c r i m i nal at t em

p t .” 1 3 In s t ead

, t h e rel ev an t q u es t i o n i s wh et her “ t h e d efen d an t t o o k a

s u b s t an t i al s t ep t o w ard t h e co m m i s s i on o f a cri m e.” 1 4 In d eed

, we h av e rep eat ed l y h el d

a n o t h er p er

s o n b el ieved b

y s u ch p er

s o n t o be a ch i l d

. . . . ” (em p h as i s s up p l i ed ). An d

u n d er su ch ci rcu m s t an ces

, we m u s t p res u m e t h at i f t h e Gen eral As sem b l y i n t en d ed

t o cri m i n al i z e u n d er OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5 (a) t h e s o l i ci t at io n o r en t icem en t o f an o t h er

p ers o n wh o i s n o t a c h i l d

, b u t i s bel i ev ed b y t h e accu s ed t o b e a ch i l d

, fo r i n d ecen t

p u rp os es

, i t cert ai n ly k n ew h o w t o d o s o

. S ee g en er a l l

y Pa t t er s o n v. St a t e

, 2 9 9 Ga.

4 9 1

, 4 9 5 (7 8 9 SE2 d 1 7 5 ) (2 0 1 6 ) (h o l di n g t h at OCGA § 1 6 -5 -2 0 (a) (2 ) d o e s n o t

req u i re t hat a d efen dan t i n t en d t o p lace a v i ct im i n r eas o n ab l e ap p reh en s i o n o f

recei v i ng a v i o l en t i n

ju ry

, an d n o t i n g t h at th e G en eral As s em b l y cert ai n l y k new h o w

t o p h ras e a s t at u t e t o i ncl u d e s u ch a req u i rem en t as s h own by i t s s i m u l t an eo u s

en act m en t of an ot her cri m i n al st at u t e, wh i ch i n cl u d ed an i n ten t req u i rem en t ); Fa i r v.

S t a t e

, 2 8 4 G a

. 1 6 5

, 16 8 (2 ) (b ) (6 6 4 SE2 d 22 7 ) (2 0 08 ) (n ot i n g t h at i f t h e Gen eral

As s em b l y h ad i nt en d ed t o req u i re k n o wl ed g e o f th e v ict i m ’ s s t at u s as a p eace o ffi cer

i n o rd er fo r t h e ag g rav a t e d c i r c u m s t an ce u n der OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -3 0 (b ) (8 ) to ap p l y

,

t h e Gen eral As s em

b l y k n ew h o w t o d o s o ).

1 3 Den n ar d

, 2 4 3 Ga. A p p. at 87 1 (1 ) (a) (p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ); s ee En g l i sh v.

S t a t e

, 3 0 1 G a

. Ap p

. 84 2

, 84 3 (6 8 9 SE2 d 1 3 0 ) (2 0 1 0) (“ Th e ‘ s u bs t an t i al s t ep

req u i rem en t [ u n d e r t h e cri m i n al -at t em p t s tat u t e] sh i ft s t h e em p h as i s fro m wh at

rem ai n s t o be d o ne to wh at t he act o r h as al read y do n e. Th e fact th at fu rt h er s t ep s m u s t

b e t ak en befo re t h e cri m e can b e co m pl et ed do es n o t p recl u de s u ch a fi n d in g t h at t h e

s t ep s al read y

u n d ert ak en are s u b s t an t i al

. ” (p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed )).

1 4 Den n a r d

, 2 4 3 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 7 1 (1 ) (a) (p u n ct u at i o n o m it t ed ); a cco r d Ma s s ey

v. S t a t e , 2 6 7 Ga. Ap p . 4 8 2, 4 83 (6 0 0 SE2 d 4 37 ) (2 0 0 4 ).

8t h at a co n v i ct i o n fo r at t em p t ed ch i l d m o l es t at i o n

— an o ffen s e t h at

, t o b e co m p l et ed

,

o b v i o u s l y req u i res t h e ex i s t en ce o f a ch i l d v ict i m 1 5 —m ay be s u s t ai n ed “ wh en t h e

d efen d an t co m

m u n i cat ed wi t h an ad u l t wh o m t h e d efen d a n t b e l i ev ed t o b e a ch i ld

u n d er si x t een y ears o l d an d t o o k s u b s t an ti al s t ep s t o m eet wi t h t h at p ers o n t o en g ag e

i n s ex u al act i v i t y th at wo u l d co n s t it u t e a v i o l at i on o f ch il d m ol es t at i o n .” 1 6 Si m i l arl y

,

1 5 S ee OCGA § 1 6 -6 -4 (a) (“ A p ers o n co m m i t s t he o ffen s e o f ch i l d m o l es t at i o n

wh en s u ch p ers o n : (1 ) Do es an y i m m o ral o r i n d ecen t act to o r i n t h e p r es en ce o

f o r

wi t h a n y ch i l d u nd

er t h e a g e o

f 1 6 yea r s wi t h t h e in t en t t o aro u s e o r s at i s fy t he s ex u al

d es i res o f e i t h er t h e ch il d or t h e pers o n ; o r (2 ) By m ean s of an el ect ro n ic d ev i ce,

t ran s m i t s i m ag es o f a p ers on en g ag in g i n

, i n d u ci n g

, o r o th erwi se p art i ci p at i n g i n an y

i m m o ral o r i n d ecen t act t o a ch i l d u n d er t h e a g e o

f 1 6 yea r s wi t h th e i nt en t t o aro u s e

o r s at is fy t h e s ex u al d es i res o f ei t h er t h e ch i l d o r t h e pers o n

. ” (em p h as i s s u p p l i ed )).

1 6 Lo p ez v. St a t e

, 3 2 6 Ga

. A p p

. 7 70

, 7 7 4 (1 ) (b ) (7 5 7 SE2 d 4 3 6) (2 0 1 4 ); s ee

Br o wn v. S t a t e

, 3 2 1 Ga. A p p. 7 9 8

, 80 0 (1 ) (7 4 3 S E 2 d 4 7 4 ) (2 0 1 3 ) (h ol d i n g t h at

ev i d en ce t h at a d efen d an t en gag ed in s ex u al l y ex p li ci t on l i n e co m

m u n i cat io n s wi th

a l aw-en fo rcem en t o ffi cer p o si n g as a 1 5 -y ear-o l d g i rl an d wen t t o an arran g ed

m eet i n g pl ace was s u ffi ci en t t o s u s t ai n a co n vi ct i o n fo r at t em p t ed ch i l d m o l es t at i o n,

an d n o t i n g t hat t h e fact t h at t h e 1 5 -y ear-o l d d i d n o t act u al l y ex i s t d id n o t p recl u d e a

co n vi ct i o n fo r a tt emp t ed ch i l d m o l es t at i o n); Lo g an v. S ta te

, 3 0 9 Ga. Ap p

. 9 5

, 9 9 -1 0 0

(2 ) (a) (7 0 9 S E 2 d 30 2 ) (2 01 1 ) (h o ld i n g t h at ev i d en ce t h at t h e d efen d an t

, v i a

el ect ro ni c c o m

m u ni cat i on s, as k ed l aw-en fo rcem en t o ffi cer p o s in g as 1 4-y ear-o l d gi rl

t o en g ag e i n s ex u al i n t erco u rs e an d o ral s od o m y

, an d t h en carri ed a co nd o m t o an

arran g ed m eet i n g p l ace, was su ffi ci en t t o s h o w th at d efen d an t t o ok a s u b s t an t i al s t ep

t o ward co m

m i t t i n g ch i l d m o l es t at io n an d ag grav at ed ch i l d m o l es t at i o n ); S mi t h v.

S t a t e

, 30 6 G a. Ap p

. 3 0 1

, 3 0 2 (1 ) (7 02 SE2 d 2 1 1 ) (2 0 1 0 ) (h o l d i ng t h at ev i d en ce t h at

t h e d efen d an t en gag ed i n sex u al l y ex p li ci t o n l i n e co n v ers at io n s wi t h an ad u l t p o s i n g

a s a 1 5 -y ear-o l d g i rl

, d ro v e t o an arran g ed m eet i n g p l ace, an d t hen fl ed fro m l a w

en fo rcem en t o ffi cers wh o w ere wai t i ng at t h at p l a c e

, was s u ffi ci en t to s u s t ai n h i s

co n vi ct i o n fo r at t em

pt ed ch i l d m o l es t at i o n).

9h ere, t h e i n d i ct m en t was s u ffi ci en t to al l eg e an at t em p t ed v i ol at io n o f OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5

( a ) b e c a u s e i t al leg ed t h at

, wi t h i n t en t t o en t i ce o r s ol i ci t a ch i l d fo r i n d ece n t

p u rp os es

, Sm i th t oo k a s u b s t a n t i al s t ep t o ward s t h e co m m i s s i o n o f t hat cri m e ( i .e.

en g ag i n g i n sex u al l y ex p l ici t co m m u n i c at i o n s wi th a p ers o n wh o h e b el i ev ed t o b e

u n d er t he ag e o f 1 6

, arran gi n g a m eet i n g p lace, an d d ri v i n g t o a m o t el t o m eet h er). 1 7

Nev ert h el es s

, t o s u p po rt h i s ap p aren t arg u m en t th at a d efen d an t m ay n ev er b e

ch arg ed w i t h o r c o n v i c t e d o f cri m i n al at t em p t t o co m m i t a cri m e wh en

, u n d er t h e

ci rcu m s t an ces

, t he un d erl y i n g cri m e w as i m p o s s ib l e t o co m

pl et e, Sm i t h rel i es o n t h i s

Co u rt ’ s deci s io n s in McIn t o s h v. S t a t e 1 8 an d S ta te v. Ha r l a ch er

. 1 9 Bu t n ei th er o f t h o s e

cas es s et fo rt h s u ch a s weep i ng g en eral i zat i on reg ard i n g cri m in al at t em pt

, an d b o th

1 7 See Ca s ta ne i r a v. S t a t e

, 3 21 Ga. Ap p. 4 1 8

, 4 23 -2 4 (2 ) (7 4 0 SE2 d 4 0 0 )

(2 0 1 3) (affi rm i n g co n v i ct i o ns fo r cri m in al at t em p t t o co m m i t ch i l d m o les t at i o n an d

cri m i n al at t em

pt t o en t i ce a ch i l d fo r i n d ecen t p u rp o s es wh en t here was ev i d en ce t h at

t h e defen d an t to ok su b st an t i al s t ep s t o co m m i t t h o s e cri m es b y co m

m u n i cat i n g wi th

an d arran g i n g to m eet a p o l i ce d et ect i v e wh o t h e defen d an t b el i ev ed t o b e a 1 5 -y earo l d gi rl ); Ad

a m s v. S t a t e

, 3 1 2 Ga. Ap p

. 5 7 0

, 5 70 -7 1

, 57 7 (3 ) (a) (7 1 8 SE2 d 8 9 9 )

(2 0 1 1) (h o ld i ng t h at t h e ev i d en ce was s u ffi ci en t t o s u p p o rt a co n v i ct i o n fo r at t em p t ed

en t i cem en t o f a ch il d fo r i nd ecen t p u rp o s es wh en t h e d efen d a n t ex ch an g ed s ex u al

m es s ag es wi t h a p o li ce i nv es t i g at o r wh o cl ai m ed t o b e a 1 4 -y ear-o l d g i rl an d d ro v e

t o a p ark wh ere h e h ad arran g ed t o m eet h er).

1 8 2 3 Ga. Ap p . 5 1 3 (9 8 SE 5 5 5 ) (1 9 1 9 ).

1 9 3 3 6 Ga. Ap p . 9 (7 8 3 SE2 d 4 1 1) (2 0 1 6 ).

10are eas i l y d i st i n g ui s h ab l e. In McIn t o s h

, u n l i k e t h i s cas e, we ad d res s ed t h e

req u i rem en t s t o s u ffi ci en t l y ch arg e a d efen dan t wi t h a co mp l et ed cri m e (fo rg ery ), n ot

wi t h cri m i n al at t em

p t to co m m i t t h at cri m e. 2 0 An d co n t rary t o Sm i t h ’ s arg u m en t s

,

Ha r la ch er was deci d ed n arro wl y i n t h e co nt ex t o f an at t em p t ed ag g rav at ed -as s au l t

ch arg e i n wh i ch th e co m pl et ed o ffen s e w o u ld h a v e r e q u i r ed t h e d efen d an t

, wh o

p o i n t ed a h an d gu n at t h e v i c t i m

, to h av e p l aced t hat v i ct i m i n “ reas o n ab l e

ap p reh en s i o n o f i m

m ed i at el y recei v i n g a v i o l en t i n ju ry .” 2 1 Ho wev er, i n t h at cas e, t h e

v i ct i m was u n aware t h at t h e d efen d an t h ad b ran di s h ed a fi rearm

, an d o u r Su p rem e

Co u rt h as h el d t h at

, u n d er th o s e p art i cu l ar ci rcu m s t an ces

, a d efen d an t m ay o n l y b e

ch arg ed wi t h an d co nv ict ed o f a m is d em ean o r— p o i n t in g o r ai m in g a g un at an o t h er

wi t h o u t l e g al ju s t i fi cat i on

. 2 2 Rel y i n g o n t h at p reced en t

, we h el d t h at

, u n l es s t h e

d efen d an t p l aced t h e v i ct i m in reas o n ab l e ap p reh en s i o n of h arm

, h e c o u l d o n l y b e

ch arg ed wi t h t h e m is d em ean o r o f p o i n t i ng a fi rearm

, n ot at t em p t ed ag g rav at ed

2 0 S ee g en er a l l

y M cIn t o s h , 2 3 Ga. Ap p . 5 1 3

.

2 1 S ee Ha rl a ch er , 3 3 6 Ga. Ap p . at 1 2 -1 3 (p u n ct uat i o n o m i t t ed ).

2 2 See Rh o d

es v. S ta t e

, 2 57 Ga. 3 6 8

, 3 7 0 (5 ) (3 59 SE2 d 6 7 0) (1 9 8 7); Ma n z a n o

v. S t a te

, 2 8 2 Ga. 5 5 7, 5 5 8-5 9 (2 ) (6 5 1 SE2 d 6 6 1 ) (2 0 0 7 ); see a ls o Ha r la ch er

, 3 3 6 Ga.

Ap p

. at 1 2 -1 3 ; OCGA § 1 6 -1 1 -1 0 2 (“ A p ers o n i s g u i l t y o f a m i s d em ean o r wh en h e

i n t en t i o n al l y an d wi t h o u t l eg al ju s t i fi cat io n p o i n t s o r ai m s a g u n o r p i s t o l at an o t h er,

wh et h er t h e g u n o r p i s to l i s l oad ed o r u n l o ad ed .”).

11as s au l t

. 2 3 M o reo v er, no t h i n g i n Ha r l a ch er o r th e Su p rem e Co u rt cas es u p on wh i ch i t

rel i es rem o t el y s u g g es t s t h at a d efen dan t ca n n o t b e c h arg ed wi t h o r co n v i ct ed o f

at t em p t i n g t o co m

m i t a s ex cri m e ag ai n s t a m i n o r w h en

, as h ere, t h e d efen d an t t ak es

a s u b s t an t i al s tep t o co m

m it th at cri m e, b u t u l t i m at el y can no t d o s o b ecau s e t h ere i s

n o act u al ch i ld i n vo l v ed . In fact , OCGA § 1 6 -4 -4 s p eci fi cal l y p ro v i d es t h at

i t i s n o d efen se t o a ch arg e o f cri m i n al at t em p t t h at t h e cri m e t h e accu s ed

i s ch arg ed wi th at tem

p t i n g w a s

, u n d er t h e at t en d an t ci rcu m st an ces

,

fact u al l y o r l eg al ly i m

p o s s i b l e o f co m

m i s s i o n i f s uch cri m e co u l d h av e

b een co m m i t t ed h ad t h e at ten d an t ci rcu m s t an ces b een as t he accu s ed

b el i ev ed t h em

t o b e.

An d ag ai n

, t h i s Co u r t

, a s a u t h o ri zed b y OCGA § 1 6-4 -4

, h as rep eat ed l y u p h el d

co n vi ct i o n s fo r at t em

p t ed ch i l d s ex cri m es w h en t h e al l eg ed v i ct i m w as act u al l y a

l aw-en fo rcem en t o ffi cer po s i n g as a m i no r. 2 4 Th u s

, th e t ri al co u rt di d n o t err in

d en y i n g Sm i t h ’ s g en eral d em u rrer t o Co u n t 3 o f t he i n d i ct m en t

.

2 3 S ee Ha rl a ch er , 3 3 6 Ga. Ap p . at 1 2 -1 3.

2 4 See s u p r a n o t es 1 6 an d 1 7

. W e n o t e t h at t h i s Co u rt h as al so h el d t h at an

i n d i ct m en t was s u ffi c i e n t t o al l eg e cri m in al at t em p t t o co m

m i t a cri m e i n o t h er

co n tex t s wh en i t was no t po s s i b l e fo r t h e acc u s e d t o c o m p l et e t h at cri m e. See, e.g

. , Da vi s v. S t a t e

, 2 8 1 Ga. Ap p

. 8 5 5

, 8 5 7 -5 9 (1 ) (6 3 7 SE2 d 4 3 1 ) (2 0 0 6 ) (h o l d i n g t h at t h e

i n d i ct m en t was s u ffi ci en t t o ch arg e cri m i n a l a t t em p t to p urch as e co cai n e wh en t h e

“ b u y er” was a co n fi d en t i al i n fo rm an t an d t h ere was n o act ual co cai n e i n v ol v ed ).

122

. In a s i m i l ar en u m erat io n o f erro r, Sm i t h al s o arg ues t h at t h e tri al co u rt erred

i n d en y i ng h i s s p eci al d em u rrer t o Co un t 3 o f t h e i n d ict m en t b ecau s e t h ere i s a fat al

v ari an ce bet ween t h e o ffen s e t h at h e i s ch arg ed wi t h co m m i t t i n g an d t h e l an g u ag e o f

t h e i n d i ct m en t . Ag ai n , we d i s ag ree.

As ex p l ai n ed b y o u r Su prem e Co u rt

, “ [a] n i n d i ct m en t t h at i s no t s u bject t o a

g en eral d em

u rrer m ay

, h o w ev er, b e s u b ject t o a s peci al d em

u rrer, wh ich ch al l en g es

t h e s p eci fi ci t y

o f t h e i n d i ct m en t .” 2 5 M o re s p eci fi cal l y

,

[t ] h e t ru e tes t o f t he s u ffi ci en cy of an i n d i ct m en t t o wi t h st an d a s p eci al

d em u rrer i s n o t wh et h er i t co u l d h av e bee n m a d e m o re d efi n i t e an d

cert ai n , b u t wh et h er i t co n t ai n s t h e el em en t s o f t h e o ffen s e i n t en d ed t o

b e ch arg ed , an d s u ffi ci en t l y ap p ri s es t h e d efen dan t o f w h at h e m u st b e

p rep ared t o m eet

, an d, i n cas e an y o t h er p ro ceed i n g s are t ak e n a g a i n s t

h i m fo r a s i m i l ar o ffen s e, wh et h er th e reco rd s ho ws wi t h accu racy t o

wh at ex t en t h e m ay

p l ead a fo rm er acq u i t t al o r co n v ict i o n

. 2 6

Fu rt h erm o re, av erm en ts i n an in d i ct m en t “ as t o t h e s peci fi c m an n er i n wh i ch a cri m e

was co m m it t ed are n o t m ere su rp l us ag e, an d s u ch av erm en t s m u s t b e p ro ved as l ai d,

o r t h e fai l u re t o p ro v e th e s am e wi l l am o u nt t o a fat al v ari an ce an d a v i ol at io n o f t h e

2 5 S t a t e v. W

ya t t , 2 9 5 Ga. 2 5 7 , 2 6 0 (2 ) (7 5 9 SE2 d 5 0 0 ) (2 0 1 4 ).

2 6 Id

. (p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

13d efen d an t ’ s ri g h t to d u e pro ces s o f l aw.” 2 7 Bu t here, t h e s o l e b as i s fo r Sm i t h ’ s cu rs o ry

arg u m en t t h at t here was a fat al v ari an ce b et ween th e i n d i ct m en t an d t he ch arg ed

o ffen s e i s t h at t h e i n di ct m en t referen ces a vi o l at i o n o f O C GA § 1 6 -6 -5

, wh i l e t h e

l a n g u a g e o f t h e i n d i c t m en t ch arg es h i m

, i n s u b s t an ce, wi t h cri m i n al at t em p t to

co m m i t t h at o ffen s e in v i o l at i o n o f OCGA § 1 6 -4 -1

. Bu t t h i s arg u m e n t i g n o res t h e

fact t h at it i s t h e s u b s tan t i v e d es cri p t i o n o f t h e cri m e, “ rat h er t h an t he d es cri pt i o n an d

n u m b er o f t h e s ect i o n u n d er w h i ch i t ap p ears in t h e Co d e[,] w hi ch fu rn is h es t h e

cri t eri o n fo r d et erm i n i ng wh et her t h e i n d i c t m e n t i s g o o d .” 2 8 As a res u l t

, g i v en o u r

h o l d i n g i n Di v i s i o n 1 su

p r a ( i .e.

, t hat t h e l an g u ag e o f t h e i n d i ct m en t was su ffi ci en t

t o al leg e an at t em

p t ed v io l a t i o n o f OCGA § 16 -6 -5 (a)), i t i s i m m at eri al t h at t h e

i n d i ct m en t fai l ed t o s p eci fi cal l y referen ce t he cri m i n al -at t em p t s t at u te. 2 9

2 7 New v. St a t e

, 3 27 Ga. Ap p

. 8 7

, 1 02 (3 ) (e) (7 5 5 SE2 d 5 6 8 ) (2 0 1 4 )

(p u n c t u a t i o n o m i tt ed ); a cco rd Cl emen s v. S t a t e

, 31 8 Ga. Ap p. 1 6

, 1 9 -2 0 (2 ) (7 3 3

SE2 d 6 7 ) (2 0 1 2 ).

2 8 Nye v. S t at e

, 2 7 9 G a. Ap p

. 34 7

, 3 4 8 -4 9 (2 ) (6 3 1 SE2 d 38 6 ) (2 0 0 6); a cco r d

Hi l l , 2 5 7 Ga. Ap p . at 8 4 (1 ).

2 9 S ee S ch a ff v. S t at e

, 27 5 Ga. Ap p. 6 4 2, 6 4 3 (2 ) (b ) (6 2 1 SE2 d 5 9 5) (2 0 0 5 )

(h o l d i n g t h at “ al t h o u g h t h e accu s at i o n d i d no t ci t e a p art i cu l ar o rd i n an ce o r s t at u t e,

i t i s cl ear fro m t h e l an g u ag e i n each o f th e ch arg es t hat [t h e d efen d an t ] was accu s ed

o f vi o l at i n g co u n t y ord in an ces ”); Hi l l

, 2 5 7 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 4 (1 ) ( h o l d i n g t h at t h e

i n d i ct m en t s u ffi ci en t ly d es cri b ed t h e ch arg es ag ai n s t t h e d efen d an t an d t he St at e was

n o t req u i red t o s p eci fy

t h e s t at ut e t h at t h e d efen d an t al leg ed l y v i o lat ed ).

143

. Nex t

, Sm i t h arg ues t hat t h e t ri al co u rt erred in d en y i ng h i s gen eral d em u rrer

to C ount 1 of t h e i n d i ct m en t

, wh i ch ch arg ed h i m wi t h co m p u ter p o rn o g rap h y

, b ecause

i t was p red i cat ed u p on th e at t em p t ed -en t i cem en t co u n t d i scu s s ed s u pr a

, as wel l as

o t h er al l eg at io ns th at fai l ed t o al l eg e a v i o l at io n o f Geo rg i a l aw. Th i s cl ai m o f erro r

i s l ik ewi s e wi t h o u t m eri t

.

Co u nt 1 o f t h e i n d ict m en t ch arg ed Sm i t h wi t h t h e o ffen s e o f co m p u t er

p o rn og rap hy i n vi o l at i on o f OCGA § 16 -1 2 -1 0 0 .2 (d ) i n t h at

, o n o r ab o u t M arch 1 4,

2 0 1 5 , h e d i d

i n t en t i o n al l y an d wi l l fu l l y u t i l i ze a co m p u t er on -l i n e m es s ag i n g s erv i ce

. . . t o at t em

p t t o s ed u ce, l u re an d en t i ce an o t h er p ers o n b el i ev ed b y s ai d

accu s ed t o b e a ch i l d u n d er t h e ag e o f 1 6 t o co m m it t h e o ffen s es o f

[e] n t i ci n g a [ c ] h i l d fo r [i ] n decen t [p ] urp o ses as d es cri b ed i n Co de

Sect io n 1 6 -6 -5 an d t o en g ag e i n co n d u ct t h at b y i t s n at u re i s an u nl awfu l

s ex u al o ffen s e ag ai n s t a ch i l d i n vi o l at i o n o f Co d e Sect i on 1 6-1 2 -1 0 0 .2

. . . .

W i th o u t ci t i n g t o an y l eg al au t h o ri t y (o t h er t h an t h e cri m i n al s tat u t es at i s s u e), Sm i th

s u m m ari ly co n t en d s th at becau s e OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5 d o es n o t “ cri m i nal i ze t h e co n d u ct

at i ss u e” fo r t h e reas o n s g iv en i n h i s p rev i ou s en u m erat i o n s o f erro r, t h e co m p u terp o rn og rap hy co u n t l i kewi s e d o es n o t al leg e a v i ol at i o n o f G eo rg i a l aw. Bu t ag ai n

, t h i s

ar g u m e n t i s p red i cat ed o n t h e fal s e as s u m p t i o n th at Co un t 3 ch arg ed Sm i t h wi t h a

15c o m

p l et ed v i o lat i o n o f OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5

, rat h er t h an an at t em p ted v i o l at i o n

. A n d

s i m i l arl y t o Co u n t 3

, Co u n t 1 o f t h e i n d i ct m en t

, w h i ch t rack ed th e l an g u ag e i n OCGA

§ 1 6 -1 2 -1 0 0

. 2

, 3 0 ch arg ed Sm i t h wi t h u s i n g an o n l i n e m es s ag i n g s erv i ce in an a t t emp t

t o en t ice a ch il d fo r i n d ecen t p u rp o s es i n v i o lat i o n o f OCGA § 16 -6 -5

. Th u s

, fo r t h e

s am e reas o n s g i v en i n D i v i s i o n 1 s u p r a

, we reject Sm i t h ’ s arg u m en t t h at Co u n t 1 o f

t h e i n d i ct m en t fai led t o ch arg e a v io l at i o n o f Geo rg i a l aw.

4

. Fi n al ly

, Sm i t h arg u es t hat t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y i n g h i s s p eci al

d em u rrer t o t h e co m

p u t er-p o rn o g rap h y co u n t o f t h e i n d i ct m en t (Co u n t 1 ) b ecau s e i t

3 0 S ee OCGA § 16 -1 2 -1 0 0 .2 ( d ) ( 1 ) (“ It s h al l b e u n l awfu l fo r an y p ers o n

i n t en t i o n al l y o r wi l l fu l l y t o u t i l i ze a co m p u t er wi rel es s s erv i ce o r I n t ern et s erv i ce,

i n cl u d i n g

, b u t n o t l i m i t ed t o

, a lo cal b u l l et i n b o ard s erv i ce, In tern et ch at ro o m

, e-m ai l

, i n s t an t m es s ag in g s erv i ce, o r o t her el ect ro n ic d ev i ce, t o s ed uce, s o li ci t

, l u re, o r en t i ce,

o r a t t emp t t o s ed

u ce, s ol i ci t

, lu r e, o r en t i ce a ch il d

[ o r ] a n o t h er p er s o n b el i eved b

y

s u ch p er s o n t o b e a ch i l d

. . . t o co m m i t an y i l l eg al act b y

, wi t h

, o r ag ai n s t a ch i l d as

d es cri b ed i n Co d e Sect i o n 1 6 -6 -2

, rel at i n g t o

. . . Sect i o n 1 6-6 -5

, r e l a t i n g t o t h e

o ffen s e o f en t i ci n g a ch i l d fo r i nd ecen t p urp o s es

. . . o r to en g ag e i n an y co n d u ct t h at

b y i ts nat ure i s an u n l awfu l s ex u al o ffen s e ag ai n s t a ch i l d

. ” (em p h as i s su p pl i ed )); s ee

a l s o Co l ema n v. S ta t e

, 3 1 8 Ga. Ap p

. 4 7 8

, 4 8 0 -8 1 (1 ) (7 3 5 SE2 d 7 8 8 ) (2 0 1 2) (h o l d i n g

t h at t h e i n d i ct m en t was s u ffi ci en t t o c h arg e at t em p t ed b u rg l ary wh en i t t rack ed t h e

ap p li cab l e s tat ut e an d ap p ri s ed t h e d efen d an t o f b o th t h e cri m e an d t h e m an n er in

wh i ch it was a l l e g e d t o h av e b een co m m i t t ed ); D avi s

, 2 8 1 Ga. Ap p. at 8 5 9 (1 )

(h o l d i n g t h at an i n d i ct m en t w as s u ffi ci en t t o ch arg e t h e d efen dan t w i t h at t em p t i n g to

t raffi c i n co cai n e wh en i t “ t rack [ed ] t h e ap p li cab le s t at u t es i n a m an n er t h at i s eas i l y

u n d ers t o o d

, an d i t ap p ri s ed [d efen d an t ] of b o t h t h e cri m e an d t h e m an n er i n wh i ch i t

was al l eg ed t o h av e b een co m m i t t ed ”).

16fai l ed t o s p eci fy t h e co n du ct t h a t t h e S t a t e al l eg es i s

, b y i t s n at u re, an u n l awfu l

o ffen s e ag ai ns t a ch i l d . W e ag ree.

As p rev i o u sl y

ex p l ai n ed

,

[a] n i n d ict m en t i s s u ffi ci en t t o wi t h st an d a sp eci al d em u rrer i f i t co n tai n s

t h e el em en t s o f t h e o ffen s e i n t en d ed t o b e ch arg ed

, an d s u f f i ci en t l y

ap p ri s es t h e d efen d an t o f wh at he m us t b e p rep ared t o m eet

, an d

, i n cas e

an y o th er p ro ceed in gs are t ak en a g a i n s t h i m fo r a s i m i l ar o ffen s e,

wh et h er t he reco rd s ho ws wi t h accu racy t o wh at ex t en t h e m ay p l ead a

fo rm er acq ui tt al o r co n v i ct i o n

. 3 1

Here, as s et fo rt h i n Di v is i o n 2

, Co u n t 1 o f t h e in d i ct m en t ch arg ed Sm i t h wi t h u s i n g

a co m p u t er-m es s ag i n g s erv i ce t o at t em pt to s ed u ce, lu re, an d en ti ce an o t h er p ers o n

wh o h e b el iev ed to b e a ch i l d u n d er t h e ag e o f 1 6 t o v i o l at e O CGA § 1 6 -6 -5 an d “ to

en g ag e i n co n d u ct t h at b y i t s nat u re i s an un l awfu l s ex u al o ffen s e ag ai n s t a ch i l d ” in

v i o l at i o n o f Co d e Sect i o n 1 6 -1 2 -1 0 0

. 2

. Rel y i n g o n th e Su p rem e Co urt o f G eo rg i a’ s

d eci s i o n in W

et z el v. S ta t e

, 3 2 Sm i t h co n t en d s t hat wh en t h e St at e ch arg es a vi o l at i o n

o f OCGA § 1 6 -1 2 -1 0 0 .2 (d ) (1 ), as h ere, i t is req u i red t o “ p l ead t h at [t h e accu s ed ]

u t i l i zed a co m

pu t er t o en g ag e i n co n d uct t h at v i o l at es a s p eci fi c cri m i n al l aw.”

3 1 S a l l ee , 3 2 9 Ga. Ap p . at 6 1 6 (2 ) (p un ct u at i o n o m it ted ).

3 2 2 9 8 Ga. 2 0 (7 79 SE2 d 2 6 3) (2 0 1 5 ).

17Sm i t h i s i n d eed co rrect t hat

, i n W et z el

, o ur Su p rem e Co u rt hel d

, i n t h e co n t ex t

o f rev i ewi n g a ju ry in s tru ct io n

, t h at i n ord er to p ro ve a v io l at i o n o f OCGA § 1 6 -1 2

-

1 0 0 .2 (d ) (1 ), t he St at e i s req u i red t o “ i d en t i fy at l eas t s o m e u n d erl y i n g cri m e.” 3 3

Sp eci fi cal l y

, th e W

et zel Co u rt h el d t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred b y i ns t ru ct i n g t h e ju ry t h at

[a] p ers on co m

m i t s t h e o ffen s e o f co m pu t e r p o rn o g rap h y wh en he

i n t en t i o n al l y

u ti l i zes an el ect ro ni c dev i ce t o s ed u ce, s o l i ci t

, o r en t i ce a

ch i l d o r an i n d i v id u al b el i ev ed b y s u ch p ers on t o b e a ch il d t o en g ag e i n

an y co n d u ct t h at b y i t s n at u re i s an u n l a w f u l s e x u al o ffen s e ag ai n s t a

ch i l d

b ecau s e su ch a n i n s t r u c t io n “ d i d n o t g iv e t h e ju ry an y in kl i n g o f t h e un d erl y i n g

o ffen s e u p o n wh i ch [t h at co u nt ] was b as ed .” 3 4 Th e Co u rt fu rt h er no t ed t h a t t h e

i n d i ct m en t al s o fai l ed t o i d en t i fy t h e p art i cu l ar “ u n l awfu l s ex ual o ffen s e” at i s s u e. 3 5

Un d er s u ch ci rcu m st an ces

, t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s i ns t ru ct i o n on t h at co u nt “ fai l ed t o g i v e

t h e ju ry p ro p er g u id el i n es fo r d e te r m ining guilt or i nn o cen ce.” 3 6 Ul t i m at el y

, i n W et z el

,

t h e d efen d an t ’ s co n v i ct i on on t h e rel ev an t co u nt was rev ers ed b ecau se t h e Su p rem e

3 3 Id

. at 26 (2 ) (b ).

3 4 Id

.

3 5 S ee i d

.

3 6 Id

. at 26 -2 7 (2 ) (b ) (p u n ct uat i o n o m it t ed ).

18Co u rt h el d t h at th e erro n eo u s ju ry i n s t ru ct i o n co m b i n ed wi t h th e St at e’ s m i s l ead i n g

cl o s i ng arg u m en t was h arm fu l erro r. 3 7

Tu rn i n g t o t he cas e s u b j u d i ce

, al t ho u g h C o un t 1 o f t h e i n d ict m en t

, wh i ch

al l eg ed a v i o l at i on o f OCGA § 1 6 -1 2 -1 0 0

. 2 (d ) (1 ), s p eci fi cal ly i d en t i fi ed en t i cem en t

o f a ch i l d fo r i n d ecen t p urp os es (OCGA § 1 6 -6 -5 ) as an o ffen s e t h at Sm i t h al l eg ed l y

at t em p t ed t o co m

m i t

, i t al s o g en eral l y ch arg ed t h at h e u s ed a co m p u t er-m es s ag i n g

s erv i ce t o at t em

pt to co m m i t an “ u n l awfu l s ex u al o ffen s e.” An d wh i l e t h e i n d i ct m en t

“ t rack ed t h e rel ev an t s t at u t o ry l an g u ag e,” i t m i gh t al s o o p erat e t o “ b es t o w up o n t h e

ju ry t h e p o wer t o creat e an d th en ret ro act i v el y en fo rce an ‘ u n l awfu l s ex u al o ffen s e’

b as ed s o l el y o n i t s feel i n g s , o r i t s bel i efs reg ard i n g h o w t h e co m m un i ty wo u l d feel

,

ab o ut [Sm i t h ’ s ] co n d u ct

. ” 3 8 Fu rt h erm o re, b ecau s e we are rev iewi n g t h e i n d ict m en t o n

i n t erl o cu t o ry

ap p eal , b efo re an y

t ri al , we m

u st “ ap p ly

t h e ru le t h at a d efen dan t wh o

h as ti m el y fi l ed a s p eci al d em u rrer i s en t i t l ed t o an i n d ict m en t p erfect i n fo rm an d in

s u b s t a n c e

. ” 3 9 T h u s

, ap p l y i n g t h e an al y s i s i n W et z el

, Co un t 1 o f Sm i t h ’ s i n d i ct m en t

d o es n o t cl earl y ap p ri s e h i m o f al l o f t h e al l eg ed cri m i n al co n d u ct th at h e m u s t d efen d

3 7 S ee i d

. at 2 7 (2 ) (b ).

3 8 Id

.

3 9 S ee Den n a r d , 2 43 Ga. Ap p . at 8 7 6 (2 ).

19ag ai n s t at t ri al

, an d w e are co n s trai n ed t o rev ers e t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s d en i al o f h i s s p eci al

d em u rrer as t o Co u nt 1 o f t h e i n d i ct m en t

. 4 0

Fo r al l o f t he fo reg o i ng r e a s o n s

, we affi rm th e t ri al co u rt ’ s den i al o f Sm i t h ’ s

g en eral an d s p eci al d em

u rrers t o an d m o t i o n t o q u as h t h e at t em p t ed -en t i cem en t co u nt

o f t h e i n d i ct m en t (Co u n t 3 ) an d i t s d en ial o f Sm i t h ’ s g en eral d em urrer t o t h e

co m p u t er-p o rn o g rap h y co u n t (Co u n t 1 ), bu t we rev ers e t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s d en i al o f

Sm it h ’ s s p eci al d em

u rrer t o t h e co m

p u t er-p o rn o grap h y co u n t.

Ju d g men t a f f ir med i n p a r t a n d r ever

s ed i n p ar t

. Rees e a n d Bet hel

, JJ., co n cu r

.

4 0 See s u p r a no t e 3 1 an d acco m

p an y i n g t ex t ; S ta t e v. Gr u b e

, 2 9 3 G a. 2 5 7

, 2 6 0

(2 ) (7 4 4 SE2 d 1 ) (2 0 1 3 ) (“ [T] o co m p o rt wi t h co n s ti t u t i o n al d u e p ro ces s an i n d i ct m en t

ch arg i n g a d efen d an t wi t h a cri m i n al o ffen s e m u st s at i s fy t wo cri t eri a: (1 ) i t m u s t

co n tai n th e es s en t i al el em en t s o f t h e cri m es an d ap p ri s e a d efen d an t o f wh at h e m u s t

b e p rep ared t o m eet at tri al ; an d (2 ) i t m u st sh o w wi t h accu racy t o wh at ex t en t t h e

d efen d an t m ay p l ead a fo rm er acq u i t t al o r co n v i ct i o n.”). It i s wo rt h n o t i n g t h at

, o f

co u r s e

, wh e n “ t he t ri al co u rt g ran t s a s p eci al d em u rrer an d q u as h es t h e i n d i ct m en t

, i t d oes n o t bar t h e St at e fro m re-i n d i ct i n g t h e d efen dan t .” Ch a p ma n v. S ta t e

, 3 1 8 Ga.

Ap p . 5 1 4 , 5 1 8 (1 ) (b ) (i ) (7 33 SE2 d 8 4 8 ) (2 0 1 2 ).

20