85-year-old Calif. man indicted on US sex crimes
( 2003-10-16 10:08) (Agencies)
An 85-year-old man who prosecutors say was preparing to travel to the
Philippines to have sex with girls aged 9 and 12 was indicted on Wednesday on
federal charges of "sex tourism" and child exploitation.
John Seljan was arrested Oct 3 after US Immigration and Customs officials
searched his luggage and found pornographic materials, some apparently involving
children, sex aids, 100 pounds (45 kg) of chocolate and candy and thousands of
dollars in US and Philippine currency, agency spokesman Richard Lee said in a
statement.
An inspection of Seljan's home in the southern California suburb of Garden
Grove, about 40 miles (64 km) south of Los Angeles, turned up more pornography,
Lee said.
He was charged with one count of attempted travel with intent to engage in
illicit sexual conduct, four counts of using an interstate facility to entice a
minor, two counts of producing child pornography and two counts of possessing
child pornography.
Seljan first fell under suspicion after a "routine inspection" of mail headed
overseas turned up correspondence indicating that he intended to travel to the
Philippines to have sex with two girls, one 9 years old and one 12, Lee said.
His was the second case indicted under the child sex tourism and child
exploitation provisions of the federal "Protect Act", a new anti-pedophile law,
Lee said.
Lee said Seljan apparently knew the girls and their families from previous
trips to the Philippines.
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