# Is this statutory rape? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 12, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333 "2014-09-12T19:14:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2014, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/41 "2014-09-13T22:14:55Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > No, no, no. From looking at the picture, I suspect the statue got him off…& lawyers are good for screwing you. > > Now I’ll just stand here & wait for the express elevator down; way, waaaayyy, down Hold the door! ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2014, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/42 "2014-09-13T22:19:35Z")
they both were rock hard. ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2014, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/43 "2014-09-13T22:21:33Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > No, no, no. From looking at the picture, I suspect the statue got him off…& lawyers are good for screwing you. Didja hear about the jurisprudence fetishist? He got off on a technicality. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2014, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/44 "2014-09-13T22:25:42Z")
> [@Anamorphic](#): > > [Buh-dum-BUM](http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=rimshot&play=true)! My Security System goes off. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/45 "2014-09-14T13:23:35Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Heads up\* to other Dopers – it’s not exactly a NSFW article, but the picture will make your boss do a double-take if you have it open on your work computer. > > - Heh-heh, now I made a funny. I added a spoiler box to make it comply with the two-click rule. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/46 "2014-09-14T14:13:33Z")
[ol][li]As long as you use your own property, this looks like flag-burning or cross-burning. None of the police’s business.[/li][li]Trespassing is another matter.[/li][li]I appreciate the consideration this kid showed in making it clear that he is a childish asshole. The Internet and social media are good for that.[/ol][/li]Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/47 "2014-09-15T05:10:50Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > [ol][li]As long as you use your own property, this looks like flag-burning or cross-burning. None of the police’s business.[/li][li]Trespassing is another matter.[/li][li]I appreciate the consideration this kid showed in making it clear that he is a childish asshole. The Internet and social media are good for that.[/ol][/li]Regards, > Shodan When **Bricker** said desecrating a statute, I though some Republican was pissing on the ACA law. As for the statue, what would the response of the law be if it were a gnome? Or if he took a picture with his arm around this statue. If there were a trespassing issue, they should be charged the same. If both those cases would be okay, than this one should be also. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/48 "2014-09-15T13:43:07Z")
If he took a picture with his arm around it, that wouldn’t be desecration, would it? But you make a very good point - if things were different, then they wouldn’t be the same. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/49 "2014-09-15T14:39:27Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > On a more serious note… really, they still have laws like that? What qualifies as a “venerated object”? “Pennsylvania law defines desecration as “Defacing, damaging, polluting or otherwise, physically mistreating in a way that the actor knows will outrage the sensibilities of persons likely to observe or discover the action.”” So if you had plans to dry-hump the statue of Rocky Balboa, I would reconsider it. I’ve been through Everett and I know the statue in question; my money says his is not the only picture like that floating around. Depending on his age, I surprised he didn’t get hit with producing child pornography for having/being an underaged child simulating a sex act. > [@Colibri](#): > > Back in my neighborhood in the Bronx almost every year Baby Jesus got kidnapped for a few days from the nativity scene outside the church. I suppose these days that would get you life.:eek: I was in a rural community ------ usually it was one of the sheep. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/50 "2014-09-15T15:13:30Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Pennsylvania law defines desecration as “Defacing, damaging, polluting or otherwise, physically mistreating in a way that the actor knows will outrage the sensibilities of persons likely to observe or discover the action.” > [@Bricker](#): > > A venerated object is “any public monument or structure, or place of worship or burial;” or “any other object of veneration by the public or a substantial segment thereof in any public place.” would a lawn gnome kidnapping with your team logo on it face this charge? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/51 "2014-09-15T15:42:53Z")
It was definitely nonconsensual sex-the victim was stoned from start to finish. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/52 "2014-09-15T16:33:16Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > It was definitely nonconsensual sex-the victim was stoned from start to finish. Sure it wasn’t more like plastered? :smack: (Leviticus made me say it) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/53 "2014-09-15T17:26:50Z")
Doesn’t Matthew 11:28 cover this? What? It says “to,” not “on?” Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/54 "2014-09-16T03:16:00Z")
[The irony, it burns!](http://www.rawstory.com/rs/blog/2014/09/15/revealed-da-prosecuting-kid-for-raunchy-jesus-photo-prank-committed-adultery-is-a-fan/) ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/55 "2014-09-16T04:47:52Z")
> [@Inna\_Minnit](#): > > I wouldn’t hire him. He is stupid to take the picture. More stupid to post the picture. And I have no respect for those who go out of their way to be assholes. > > I understand that SDMB is the bastion of liberal thought and atheism, but I don’t go around showing disrespect to those I disagree with. As teenagers’ assholish behaviour go, I would put this very low on the scale. If it’s the only assholish thing he ever did, he probably should be a role-model. He didn’t even endanger anybody, not even himself, which is already a feat. And yes, I’m a liberal atheist, but frankly, I can’t see myself being very bothered by a kid doing that, even if I were a devout Christian. Artists have done much worse to “venerated objects”. And a statue isn’t holy in any way for a Christian (contrarily to, for instance, a consecrated host for a Catholic), so it isn’t even desacration. So, Meh… ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/56 "2014-09-16T11:48:35Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > [The irony, it burns!](http://www.rawstory.com/rs/blog/2014/09/15/revealed-da-prosecuting-kid-for-raunchy-jesus-photo-prank-committed-adultery-is-a-fan/) > [@www.rawstory.com](#): > > Last week, Higgins invoked a “rarely used” law \*\*dating back to 1972 \*\*to charge the boy, saying that the “troubled young man” offended community morals with his display in front of a church in Everett, Pennsylvania. The teen faces up to two years in prison. Holy $#!\*. I thought for sure this was a leftover law from 18xx but it was only passed (relatively) recently??? ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/57 "2014-09-16T14:31:40Z")
You have to understand PA and the number of colleges and breweries we have. Moving and modifying various statues and artworks is almost a state tradition. I believe the law actually came out of a spray-paint campaign when “Save Soviet Jewry” was common around synagogs. (Adding “Win Valuable Prizes” was almost a requirement for graduation at Pitt) ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/58 "2014-09-16T15:45:53Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > [The irony, it burns!](http://www.rawstory.com/rs/blog/2014/09/15/revealed-da-prosecuting-kid-for-raunchy-jesus-photo-prank-committed-adultery-is-a-fan/) That’s a pretty deceptive story. The linked story begins: > [@](#): > > The Pennsylvania attorney who is prosecuting a 14-year-old boy for simulating oral sex with a statue of Jesus posted porn-related material online and has used his office to conduct an extramarital affair that resulted in criminal charges against him, the Friendly Atheist reported. But the details are that the “porn-related” material was a radio interview between Howard Stern and a porn star, and the criminal charges were dropped when the accusations were disproved. So the story is factual, but deceptive. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/59 "2014-09-16T17:34:01Z")
Wait, what? He’s 14? I thought he was 17. If he’s actually below the age of consent then shouldn’t the statue be the one being charged with something? It really was statutory but the other way around. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/60 "2014-09-16T17:46:35Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > Wait, what? He’s 14? I thought he was 17. If he’s actually below the age of consent then shouldn’t the statue be the one being charged with something? It really was statutory but the other way around. How old is the statue? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333.md?page=4)