World

Protect Act: Operation Twisted Traveler Nabs 3 Sex Tourism Creeps

by Tina Kells | September 1, 2009 at 09:28 am

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In 2003 the US enacted the Protect Act designed to prosecute US citizens who travel to other nations to engage in sex with children. Known as "sex tourism," travel to other countries by pedophiles who want to exploit children in impoverished nations is not new. The legislation is rare as it prosecutes American citizens for crimes committed outside the US.

Operation Twisted Traveler was set up under the jurisdiction of the Protection Act to target US citizens who participate in the sex tourism industry in Cambodia. In 2007 Cambodia was identified by the UN as one of the world's 50 poorest nations. Sex trade tourists who prey upon children in these countries are taking advantage of a level of poverty unknown in more developed nations.

Ronald Boyajian, 49, Erik Peeters, 41, and Jack Sporich, 75, were arrested in Cambodia in February, the first three people to be captured under Operation Twisted Traveler. They will face charges relating to child sexual exploitation which will be laid September 1 in an LA courtroom. The men face 30 years in prison for each child they sexually exploited.

Since the Protection Act was introduced in 2003 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has made over 70 arrests in countries like Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines.

Boyajian, 49, of Menlo Park, is accused of traveling to Cambodia in September 2008 and paying a 10-year-old Vietnamese girl to perform sex acts.

Peeters, 41, of Norwalk, engaged in sex acts with at least three Cambodian boys, authorities said. He gave their parents money and rice, and paid two of the boys between $5 and $10, the criminal complaint said.

Sporich, 75, of Sedona, Ariz., sexually abused at least one Cambodian boy, authorities said. Witnesses claim Sporich drove his motor bike through the streets of Siem Riep, dropping Cambodian currency to attract children.

Several boys stayed at his home in Cambodia, which had a swimming pool, water slide, video games, toys and clothing, authorities said.

All three men were charged under the Protect Act, which became law in 2003 and made it easier for U.S. authorities to prosecute people for overseas sex crimes.