VZCZCXRO0105
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHPF #0145 0640555
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 050555Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0469
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000145 
 
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: CAMBODIA TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ARRESTS JANUARY 1 TO 
FEBRUARY 20, 2008 
 
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