What is statutory sodomy?

Answer 1

Statutory sodomy is two different things put together. Statutory meaning that the offender is of legal age to participate in consensual sexual acts whereas the victim is under the legal age to participate in consensual sexual acts as provided by your particular state.

Sodomy is anal or oral rape.

Additional Information:

Statutory Sodomy is a sex offense that, in some states, is defined separately from statutory rape. "Statutory" implies the victim is below the age of consent, which age varies from state to state; and also implies the intercourse may have been voluntary, even if the victim is below the age of consent.

Missouri is one state that recognizes statutory sodomy as criminal behavior, and defines it as follows:

Section 566.062 Statutory sodomy, first degree

1. A person commits the crime of statutory sodomy in the first degree if he has deviate sexual intercourse with another person who is less than fourteen years old.
2. Statutory sodomy in the first degree is a felony for which the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than five years, unless in the course thereof the actor inflicts serious physical injury on any person, displays a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument in a threatening manner, subjects the victim to sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with more than one person, or the victim is less than twelve years of age, in which case the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than ten years.

Comment: Like statutory rape, this statute criminalizes deviate sexual intercourse with anyone under fourteen years old, regardless of force or consent.

Section 566.064 Statutory sodomy, second degree

1. A person commits the crime of statutory sodomy in the second degree if being twenty-one years of age or older, he has deviate sexual intercourse with another person who is less than seventeen years of age.
2. Statutory sodomy in the second degree is a class C felony.

States that don't have specific statutory sodomy laws would classify sex with a minor as statutory rape, or, in some states, simply as rape, regardless of the specific acts performed.