CORRECTED COPY: CAMBODIA TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ARRESTS

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000149

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, AND DRL
USAID FOR ASIA BUREAU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KWMN KTIP SOCI CB
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY: CAMBODIA TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ARRESTS
JANUARY 1 TO FEBRUARY 20, 2009

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED


1. (SBU) Summary: From January to February 23, 2009, Cambodian
police reported that they arrested two individuals on human
trafficking charges and two on prostitution charges in connection
with one case in which a rescued prostitute was under age 18.
Police reported that four foreign pedophiles were arrested and 10
victims were rescued. Police reported that all the perpetrators are
currently in pre-trial detention. End Summary.

Police Activity
--------------


2. (SBU) On January 12, Sihanoukville provincial police worked with
APLE to secure the arrest of 68-year-old Canadian national Daniel
Lavigne for sexually abusing two victims aged 10 and 12 years old.
Police reported that Lavigne was providing financial support to the
victims' mother and had helped the mother renovate her house.
Police reported that the Canadian national is currently in pre-trial
detention and was charged with Article 42 "Sexual Intercourse with a
Minor under Fifteen Years." The victims were sent to World Hope
International for victim assistance.


3. (SBU) On January 19, Banteay Meanchey provincial police arrested
47-year-old Chou Sophat, male, and 37-year-old Vong Saroeun, female,
for operating a brothel where one underage victim was found. Police
reported that the perpetrators are currently in pre-trial detention
and the victim was sent to AFESIP for victim assistance.


4. (SBU) On January 26, Koh Kong provincial police arrested
44-year-old Neang Run, male, and 47-year-old Long Lux, male, for the
attempted labor trafficking of 10 victims aged between 15 and 17
years to Thailand. Police arrested the perpetrators and rescued the
victims before they were trafficked across the border. Police
reported that the perpetrators are currently in pre-trial detention
and that the victims returned to their families.


5. (SBU) On February 2, Siem Reap provincial police worked with
APLE to secure the arrest of 75-year-old American national Jack
Louis Sporich for sexually abusing four victims aged between nine
and 13 years old. Police reported that Sporich had been providing
financial support to the families of the victims. The perpetrator
was charged with Article 43 "Indecent Acts against a Minor under
Fifteen Years." Police reported that the perpetrator is currently
in pre-trial detention and that two of the victims were sent to
Friends International for victim assistance. Two other victims
reportedly returned to their families.


6. (SBU) On February 19, police from the Anti-Human Trafficking and
Juvenile Protection Department worked with APLE to secure the arrest
of 49-year-old American national Ronald Boysian and rescued one
nine-year-old female victim. Police reported that Phnom Penh
Municipal Court prosecutor charged the perpetrator with Article 34
"Purchase of Child Prostitution" and that the perpetrator is
currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that the victim
was sent to World Hope International for victim assistance.


7. (SBU) On February 20, Siem Reap provincial police arrested
37-year-old Canadian national Jason Gant and rescued three victims
aged between 13 and 15 years old. Police reported that a Siem Reap
Provincial Court prosecutor charged the perpetrator with Article 43
"Indecent Acts against a Minor under Fifteen Years" and that the
perpetrator is currently in detention awaiting trial. Police
reported that two of the victims were sent to Friends International
for victim assistance and another victim returned to his family.

RODLEY