TCA 39-13-515
Promoting prostitution – Unacceptable defenses
FELONY EClass E Felony
Sentence enhancement may apply
What does this charge mean?
It is illegal to promote prostitution—meaning to own or operate a brothel, recruit prostitutes, encourage someone to become a prostitute, solicit customers for prostitutes, or profit from prostitution activities. Promoting prostitution is a Class E felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000. The penalty increases to a Class A felony (15-60 years) if the person being prostituted is between 13 and 18 years old or intellectually disabled. It is not a defense that the police officer was not actually a minor, that the victim consented, or that the crime was never completed.
Penalty Details
ClassificationClass E Felony
Maximum Jail1-6 years
Maximum Fine$3,000
Penalty SummaryClass E felony; 1-6 years; fine up to $3,000
Enhancement NotesMultiple classifications: Class A felony, Class E felony
(a) A person commits an offense under this section: (1) Who promotes prostitution; or (2) Who promotes prostitution where the subject of the offense is a law enforcement officer or is a law enforcement officer eighteen (18) years of age or older posing as a minor. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c), promoting prostitution is a Class E felony. (c) Promoting prostitution of a person more than twelve (12) years of age but less than eighteen (18) years of age or a person with an intellectual disability as defined in § 33-1-101 is a Class A felony. (d) It is not a defense to a violation of this section that: (1) The subject of the offense is a law enforcement officer; (2) The victim of the offense is a minor and consented to the offense; or (3) The solicitation was unsuccessful, the conduct solicited was not engaged in, or a law enforcement officer could not engage in the solicited offense.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026
Quick Facts
FELONY E
TCA Section39-13-515
Max Jail1-6 years
Max Fine$3,000
Recent Bookings4+
Geographic Distribution
Roane3
Madison1
