KATHMANDU, Sept 12: Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police on Friday arrested a US citizen along with one of his Nepali aide for their alleged involvement in pedophilia, a psychiatric disorder that involves sexual feeling towards prepubescent children.
Tipped off by a special source, a police squad of CIB arrested the 48-year-old Kenneth Joseph Coombs, who hails from Illinois, USA, and his accomplice Buddha Putawar aka Lucche, 21, of Swayambhu from Yambu Hotel in Thamel on Friday.
The police have also rescued five boys ranging in age from 12 to16 from the hotel premises. According to CIB Spokesperson SP Dibesh Lohani, the two were arrested based on the information that asserted the involvement of a syndicate of pedophiles based in Nepal by luring prepubescent boys from outskirts of Kathmandu with cash, clothes and abroad visits.
The police claim that a group of pedophiles visits Nepal frequently and their visits are coordinated by their Nepali aides.
"Preliminary investigations suggest that Coombs had sexually abused different children during his Nepal visit time and again," SP Lohani said. The rescued boys have told the police that they were frequently sexually abused by various pedophiles in the past.
"Though the two accused have denied any involvement in the crime during investigation, we have adequate evidences and statements from the victims to prove their guilt," the investigator said. The rescued have confessed that they had received Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 for their participation, naked photography, taking bath with alleged pedophile, among others.
The alleged US pedophile, who claims himself to be an apps designer by profession, was found to have called dozens of children in the hotel since August 23.
The Kathmandu District Court on Sunday has remanded them to six days in judicial custody for further investigation.
Last year, Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh, a 71-year-old man, was found guilty in similar crime--sexually assaulting a nine-year-old boy--and has been serving a seven-year sentence at Nakkhu Jail in Lalitpur since he was convicted by the District Court Lalitpur for engaging in pedophilia.
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