TRAFFICKERS ARRESTED AND CHARGED IN PEDOPHILE CASE

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 001153 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, G/TIP AND EAP/RSP SINGAPORE FOR NCIS BANGKOK ALSO FOR ICE HOMELAND SECURITY FOR ICE GENEVA FOR RMA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL CB KWMN ASEC SUBJECT: TRAFFICKERS ARRESTED AND CHARGED IN PEDOPHILE CASE REF: PHNOM PENH 1144 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. On June 20, accused pedophile Amcit Michael Pepe was charged with rape and debauchery at Phnom Penh Municipal Court. Four local accomplices were also charged. Three women were charged with human trafficking for allegedly supplying underage female victims to the Amcit. Two of the women are mothers of Pepe's victims. The third is Pepe's 28-year old girlfriend, while the fourth was a cook at Pepe's home charged with conspiracy in trafficking. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Accused pedophile and Amcit Michael Joseph Pepe was formally charged at Phnom Penh Municipal Court on June 20 (Reftel). According to Deputy Prosecutor Nget Sarath, Pepe is accused of having sex with at least five girls aged eight to thirteen years old. However, the victims have been providing leads to others, so the final number is likely to be higher. ¶3. (SBU) Additionally, police have charged Pepe's former girlfriend, Chu Che Seing, with human trafficking. Chu Che Seing told a reporter that she bought one of Pepe's alleged victims, aged 13, for $300 from her mother, Ly Kim Eng. Police have also charged Ly Kim Eng with trafficking. Police arrested another woman, Kroung Lang, for supplying her nine and ten year old daughters to Pepe. Lastly, police arrested Pepe's cook for conspiracy in trafficking. ¶4. (SBU) The ICE attache in Phnom Penh has interviewed the alleged victims. He has requested permission from the police to interview Michael Pepe and is awaiting approval. MUSSOMELI