Nevada law makes it illegal to solicit a minor to engage in homosexual acts, and minors are defined as people under 18 years old. But the Clark County district attorney, Clark Stewart, notes that the age of consent for other sex is 16. The detective, Vinten Hartung, also faced federal charges of using the Internet to solicit a minor for sex. A federal prosecutor said that charge wouldn't be prosecuted for the same reason. Hartung apparently made contact with the boy through an Internet chat room.
Investigators say they have been involved in an intimate relationship for about five months.
The policeman is still under investigation for lesser charges of stalking and furnishing alcohol to a minor. In the meanwhile, he is on paid leave. In other words, he is getting a nice vacation as his reward for his relationship with the boy. This is another case in which discrimination would be appropriate. District Attorney Stewart points out that charging Hartung would discriminate against a class of people.