Opinion ID: 2607617
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: Conflict Between Sexual Assault and Solicitation

Text: Shannon's last contention is that his conviction of soliciting a minor to engage in an infamous crime against nature (Counts X and XI) and of sexual assault (Counts VIII and IX) are mutually exclusive under the facts of this case. Shannon argues that a finding of guilty on one charge implies a finding of not guilty on the other. Both convictions stem from the act of fellatio committed against Minor A on the February 1986 canoe trip previously discussed above. The state argues that Shannon incited the child to engage in fellatio by his preliminary non-verbal conduct which aroused the child and resulted in the solicitation charge. The state describes this preliminary non-verbal incitement as defendant's fondling of the child's genitals and eventual performance of fellatio on the child. The state further argues that after this initial non-verbal conduct, Shannon's oral copulation of the child accomplished the act of sexual assault. On the other hand, Shannon contends that because the child testified that he knew the act of fellatio was wrong, the sexual assault charge based on lack of knowledge is erroneous. Therefore, to show sexual assault, the jury must have found that the act was against the child's will. The argument continues that if it was against the child's will he could not have been solicited. Shannon's argument has merit. Sexual assault and solicitation of a minor to engage in an infamous act against nature, under the facts of this case, cannot coexist. Our decision is a narrow one, however, based only on the facts before us. It is conceivable for a person to be solicited and initially consent to engage in an act but before the act is executed to withdraw consent. If the act is completed after the withdrawal of consent, it would be against the will of the person. That is not the situation presented for our review. The evidence is insufficient to establish that Shannon's preliminary non-verbal conduct incited, enticed or solicited the child to engage in any act. The child's only acknowledgment of Shannon's presence was to feign sleep. As previously stated this sufficiently established an unwillingness on the child's part. Because the facts underlying the sexual assault charges are indistinguishable from the solicitation charge, the felony convictions of the solicitation must be vacated.