US Man Convicted of Buying Sex, Indecent Acts With Minor

Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday convicted a 49-year-old American man of purchasing sex from a child prostitute, committing indecent acts on an 11-year-old girl and illegal drug possession. The court sentenced james Allan Morrow to 10 years in prison and fined him 5 million riel, or about $1,200. Presiding Judge Kor Vandy also or also ordered him to pay 10 million riel to the victim’s mother. The court also convicted two women, Chamroeun Chanthon, 22, and the victim’s 26-year-old sister of soliciting child prostitution, sentencing each to two years in prison. Mr Morrow and the two women were arrested on March 11 in Phsar Thmei III commune in Daun Penh district as the two women were bringing the victim to Mr Morrow at the LS Guesthouse. According to the victims’ lawyer, Noun Phanith, police saw the defendant committing indecent acts with the victim. At an Aug 18 hearing, Mr Morrow denied the charges of purchasing sex from a child prostitute and indecent acts, but admitted to using both marijuana and methamphetamines. Mr Morrow also claimed he gave Ms Chanthon and the victim’s sister $50 to pay for school costs. In a police statement, read aloud in court, Ms Chanthon said Mr Morrow gave her $70 and asked her to leave the victims alone with him. Defense lawyer Dun Vibol said he planned to appeal the verdict. “We could not accept it,” Mr Vibol said. “My client did not commit the crime. Mr Phanith, who works with the child protection NGO Action Pour Les Enfants, said he welcomed the court’s decision but was disappointed that it did not also charge Mr Morrow with producing child pornography. Mr Phanith said an investigation had uncovered naked photos of Mr Morrow with the victim and said he would ask the prosecutor to bring additional charges. But Deputy Prosecutor Heang Sopheak said he did not see the need to bring additional charges. “I think that this 10-year sentence is suitable,” Mr Sopheak said.