Today’s Investigative Special Report – February 11, 2013 “Dealing With Todays Law Enforcement Specialized Investigations” “Sexual Tourism Has Become a Reality” ~ CriminologyJustice

By Lawrence W. Daly MSc

It sounds like something from the long ago television show “Fantasy Island” where you could travel to this island and your wishes and desires would be fulfilled. The two actors, Ricardo Montalban and Herve’ Villechaize played hosts to “Tales of visitors to a unique resort island that can fulfill literally any fantasy requested” this according to IMDB.

BKK sex tourism (Photo credit: bluemonkey.)

In reality the sexual slave business has never been in such demand. Juvenile prostitution is rampant in many countries such as the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Nepal, Columbia, Chile, and on and on. There are no barriers to the sexual tourism which is happening worldwide. Do to the social media network, the flood gates are now open and perverts are pursuing children for sexual purposes.

The sexual tourism is a multi-billion-dollar global business which is so out of control that just like any tourist’s attraction men and women arrange their travel to these countries with specific tourist businesses which arrange their flights, hotels, and sexual partners.

The problem of having sex with under age children is it is illegal but in the countries listed above and hundreds more not only support children being used as sex objects, but they do not prosecute those who engage in it, no matter what country you are from. The reason is it creates a thriving business for the hotels, the associated businesses, airlines, and anyone else involved where money can be made no matter the risks or laws which are being broken.

The exploitation of children has been occurring since the beginning of time, however, child sexual tourism has become such a large industry that the health of children in these countries has become a major concern. Some children may suffer from many diseases, such as HIV/Aids, drug addiction, pregnancy, malnutrition, social ostracism, and possibly death.

Embassy of the Dominican Republic to the United States. Located in Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The theory that only pedophiles utilize the sexual tourism activities, opportunities, and benefits is incorrect. Situational and preferential abusers demand sex from children due to the disease risk being lower than that which stems from sexual contact with adult prostitutes.

Social media networking has made sexual tourism an industry where pedophiles, situational and preferential abusers, and anyone else can communicate over the Internet and talk about the type of sexual activities they can find in specific countries. Most of the countries are poor and although the sexual tourism trade is illegal in most countries the adults victimize the innocent and vulnerable.

Detection of those who engage in the child sexual tourism trade are difficult to apprehend because of the amount of money these people are willing to pay to receive and obtain their sexual gratification. Child sexual exploitation is a crime here in the United States, but still human trafficking, child pornography, and child sexual tourism continue to flourish.

Recently, under age prostitution came to the forefront when Secret Service Agents who were supposed to be guarding President Obama decided to use their off time in having sexual relations with prostitutes. Social media networks and sources stated that some of these sexual relations were with under age prostitutes.

This past week the allegation that “New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat and incoming chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, denied on Wednesday allegations that he engaged in sex with underage prostitutes during free trips to the Dominican Republic” this according to Reuters reporter, David Adams, January 30, 2013.

Robert Menendez, member of the United States Senate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The conduct of Senator Menendez came about because of his association with a Dr. Salomon Melgen, 58 whose West Palm Beach’s medical-office complex where Melgen has his eye clinic was raided by the FBI.

In several interviews Senator Menendez denied any wrong doing or sexual inappropriate behavior while being in the company of Melgen. He has blamed several conservative right-wing blogs for spreading untrue information about him.

The problem with Senator Menendez’s response to the allegations is that generally when the FBI becomes involved then there usually is a criminal problem. The FBI has better things to do than chase another Senator around the world for inappropriate behavior. It is like Menendez’s response to half of the story that he failed to report that he had flown on Melgen’s private jet to the Dominican Republic on several occasions. He stated that he thought that it had been reported and immediately paid the $50,000.00 plus that he owed. Therefore, the theory that where there is smoke there may be a fire is apropos.

Whoever decided to bring the information to the FBI it doesn’t seem reasonable that the underage prostitution information was wrong, but the flights and costs were right. The FBI will be responsible to conduct a thorough and complete investigation without interference from Congress or the Whitehouse.

The FBI should have the investigative ability to do whatever is necessary to uncover just who is involved in the cover up and those parties need to be identified, apprehended, detained, prosecuted, and incarcerated.

What discipline Congress decides to give Senator Menendez is not relevant as he would not lose his freedom, maybe his job, but it will generally be politics as usual. If the FBI finds he committed a crime than his freedom may become an issue, which if the sexual allegations are true, then he should be incarcerated no matter what his status is.

English: The Seal of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. For more information, see here. Español: El escudo del Buró Federal de Investigaciones (FBI). Para obtener más información, véase aquí (Inglés). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Former Federal Prosecutor Marc Mukasey stated that the United States began investigating individuals traveling to other countries to have sex with children who were under the age of 18 years. He states a task force was formed in 1996 and has been pursuing United States citizens who commit crimes against children in other countries. He stated that just because you live the United States doesn’t mean that you can travel to another country and commit a crime which is illegal here.

Mukasey stated that any Federal Law Enforcement Agency who works under the Department of Justice can investigate a sexual tourism type crime. It is up to the Federal Law Enforcement Officer to report his findings to his supervisor and let the supervisor decide to do what they want with the information.

If the Federal Government is made aware of any Congressman traveling to a country where children are being prostituted out as a business, then there needs to be an immediate investigation into the actions of the Congressman. There is no personal or business reason any Federal Government employee should be spending time in one of the countries listed above unless it is for government reasons and that their itinerary is known to other officials who can monitor the behavior of the employee. All federal employees traveling actions has to be above board; accountable at all times.

Until such time the Department of Justice makes child sexual tourism a priority in apprehending pedophiles, situational and preferential abusers, and other people who prey upon innocent and vulnerable children a priority this industry will continue to flourish. It takes money, manpower, and a commitment by society that the sexual and physical exploitation of children is harmful and needs to be stopped.

Without a direction, mission statement, and a vision by the Department of Justice, these individuals who fly from the United States to the above listed countries will continue to expend their money to achieve the sexual fantasies they find difficult to achieve here in the United States.