Wednesday, September 2, 2009

3 charged in sex tourism cases ordered held in LA

Sept 02, 2009

LOS ANGELES — Three Americans expelled from Cambodia to face charges of traveling overseas to have sex with children have been ordered held in custody pending their arraignment later this month in Los Angeles.

Ronald Boyajian, Erik Peeters and Jack Sporich made their initial appearance Tuesday in U.S. District Court following their return from Cambodia on Monday.

A federal magistrate ordered the three held until their arraignment on Sept. 21. It was unclear whether any of the three had an attorney.

The men were named in separate criminal complaints related to child sexual exploitation. Authorities say the three, who are previously convicted sex offenders, are the first to be charged under "Operation Twisted Traveler." It's a new initiative aimed at cracking down on the child sex tourism business in Cambodia.

Each could face up to 30 years in prison per victim if convicted. (AP)

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