Thursday, February 02, 2006

Judge Whyte to sentence "sexual tourist"

Timothy Ronald Obert has admitted to sexually abusing a boy, 14, in Costa Rica in the summer of 2003 while a volunteer with the Peace Corps. He will be sentenced by Judge Whyte on May 15, 2006.

Mr. Obert, who claims that the encounters were consensual, was charged with a violation of a "sexual tourism" statute under the Protect Act, or Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today Act. The Protect Act which was enacted in April of 2003, prohibits U.S. residents from engaging in sexual activities with people under 18 anywhere in the world. Prosecutors used a Patriot Act statute which expanded federal jurisdictions in countries being used by U.S. personnel or missions.

Mr. Obert faces a maximum 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine and sex registration. His defense attorney, Paul Meltzer, said he is also eligible for probation.

Read an article at the santacruzsentinel.com linked here.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"consensual" (sex) at the age of 14?

"appellate jurors"? on a constitutional issue?

"extra-terretorial jurisdiction" of the US on criminal cases? is this another novelty law conceived by Snoopy Gonzales?

all these are far worse than "ARREST FIRST, APOLOGIZE LATER!" ????

 
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