Original report from Phnom Penh
19 September 2008
Cambodia has worked to clean up its image as a destination for pedophiles, through new laws and information campaigns.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Friday charged an American man with the purchase of a child for prostitution, for alleged sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl.
Jason Baumbach, 40, is accused of paying school fees for the girl in exchange for sex, a crime that carries up to 15 years in prison under a new law.
Deputy Prosecutor Sok Kalyan said Friday Baumbach was charged under Article 34 of the "Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation," which prohibits sexual conduct with a minor while promising or providing money or anything of value to a minor or guardians.
Baumbach was arrested at his Tuol Kork home on Tuesday.
Cambodia has been working to improve a tarnished image as a haven for pedophiles and sexual predators, and a US State Department trafficking report issued earlier this year said authorities had made some progress toward combating the crime.
At the home of the girl, in a rundown apartment building in Prampi Makara district, parents declined to be interviewed Friday, but they showed reporter a picture of their daughter, who is now under the protective custody of a non-governmental organization.
Teng Manet, the lawyer of the family, alleged Friday the girl would visit Baumbach to receive money for school and would be invited into his room, where she was raped.
Brig. Gen. Bith Kimhong, head of the Ministry of Interior's anti-trafficking and juvenile protection department, said Friday that police have arrested seven foreigners and 13 Cambodians since January on suspicion of pedophilia.
Of the foreigners, three were American and arrested in Phnom Penh and four were from other countries and arrested in the beach resort town of Sihanoukville.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Friday charged an American man with the purchase of a child for prostitution, for alleged sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl.
Jason Baumbach, 40, is accused of paying school fees for the girl in exchange for sex, a crime that carries up to 15 years in prison under a new law.
Deputy Prosecutor Sok Kalyan said Friday Baumbach was charged under Article 34 of the "Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation," which prohibits sexual conduct with a minor while promising or providing money or anything of value to a minor or guardians.
Baumbach was arrested at his Tuol Kork home on Tuesday.
Cambodia has been working to improve a tarnished image as a haven for pedophiles and sexual predators, and a US State Department trafficking report issued earlier this year said authorities had made some progress toward combating the crime.
At the home of the girl, in a rundown apartment building in Prampi Makara district, parents declined to be interviewed Friday, but they showed reporter a picture of their daughter, who is now under the protective custody of a non-governmental organization.
Teng Manet, the lawyer of the family, alleged Friday the girl would visit Baumbach to receive money for school and would be invited into his room, where she was raped.
Brig. Gen. Bith Kimhong, head of the Ministry of Interior's anti-trafficking and juvenile protection department, said Friday that police have arrested seven foreigners and 13 Cambodians since January on suspicion of pedophilia.
Of the foreigners, three were American and arrested in Phnom Penh and four were from other countries and arrested in the beach resort town of Sihanoukville.
5 comments:
Why does this post name only an American?
Why not name the other foreigners that was arrested?
Is this post bias? For they are no different,.... they'd
committed the same crimes.
Well, American is good at everything, and that included child molestation.
We just want to include detail!
Hun Sen should thank western people who care so much about human rights and the Khmer Rouge issues.
Khmer Rouge documentaries raised by the third party prove to be an even more effective tool to support CPP propaganda since 1979.
The West doesn't like to support anyone who rule for 29 years, but their coverage on Khmer Rouge issues give Hun Sen for at least another ten years to attract new voters. Before, only my grandparents and parents are CPP supporters. Now, my young brothers and sisters also thank CPP.
Khmer Rouge coverage show Cambodians that at least we are better than the Khmer Rouge and CPP is their god who saved them, which reinforce the 1st out of 8 CPP poster.
Before, Cambodians were not interested in Khmer Rouge. Even the most famous and successful movie maker E Vong Hem lost $30,000 for Khmer Rouge film in 2004.
Theree has still been no report of this pervert's arrest in the Phnom Penh Post.
It is a con-incidence that his best friend is PP Post journalist, Tracey Shelton?
This is not a warning, but just a good will announcement to all Western pedophiles that Cambodian police can wait after you abuse children for one or two times, then they will arrest you.
Arresting Western pedophile is million dollars business per year. Each arrest could earn around $10,000 to $100,000 per case.
After spending $100,000 from pedophile, a few year later, they will be arrested again and pay lots of money again before sending to U.S. Jail like Kent Frank.
Don't ever think you can run away!
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