Preah Sihanouk Provincial Court on Sunday charged a 51-year-old American man with producing pornography and drug possession for allegedly filming and photographing a drugged and naked 12-year-old girl, officials said yesterday.
Police arrested Ronald Adams on Friday in response to a complaint filed against him by the victim’s mother, said Suon Sophan, deputy chief of the provincial anti-human trafficking police bureau.
During a search of Adam’s home in Preah Sihanouk city’s Commune 4, police discovered eight ecstasy pills, nine grams of marijuana, various sex toys and 34 compact discs depicting the 12-year-old girl and other naked children, Mr Sophan said.
“The suspect confessed that he brought the victim to visit [his home] and gave her some cough medicine but he denied having sex with her,” Mr Sophan said.
According to the victim’s mother, Mr Sophan said, Adams took the 12-year-old girl to a secluded place and ordered her to undress. When she refused, Adams coerced her into taking unknown medicine that rendered her unconscious, he added.
The victim’s mother also suspects that Adams raped her daughter, who complained of injuries to her vagina and anus, the police chief said.
Deputy Prosecutor You Titvathanak said yesterday that Adams was only charged with pornography and drug possession on Sunday and is currently being held at the provincial prison.
Asked why Adams was not charged with having sex with a minor, Mr Titvathanak said: “After I questioned him, Mr Adams said that he did not have sex with her.”
Samleang Seila, director of the anti-pedophile NGO Action Pour Les Enfants, said yesterday that the number of cases investigated by his organization of foreigners sexually abusing children doubled from 12 in 2008 to 24 in 2009.
The rise in cases did not mark an increase in offenses against children, but an improved police effort in catching child predators, he said.
“Police cracked down on these cases more than they did in 2007 and 2008,” he added.
