Catholic Clergyman Charged with Sex Crimes Involving Minors
Jim Kouri, CPP
September 25, 2005
An American-born Catholic monk from Mexico City made his initial appearance in US District Court in San Diego this month to face charges that he used the internet to attempt to induce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and that he attempted to transfer pornographic material to a minor. As with Catholic priests, monks are sworn to a vow of celibacy.
Earl John Place, 61, was named in a two-count federal indictment handed down in San Diego on September 7 that was unsealed upon his arrest on September 13. The charges are the result of an investigation by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance from Mexican law enforcement officials.
The indictment against Place alleges that between June and September of this year, he used the mail and a computer to attempt to induce a young boy to engage in unlawful sexual activity and that on August 21, 2005, he attempted to transfer obscene material to a minor under 16 years of age.
Place is currently in federal custody in San Diego after being arrested in Mexico City by Mexican law enforcement officials September 13. Place was immediately expelled from Mexico by Mexican immigration officials.
No one has license to sexually exploit children, period,” said United States Attorney Carol Lam. “This is true regardless of where a person lives or what station in life he occupies.”
The Internet does not recognize international borders,” said Michael Unzueta, special agent-in-charge for ICE investigations in San Diego. “This investigation is a perfect example of why cooperation with our law enforcement counterparts in Mexico is so vitally important.”
Place is due back in federal court September 15 at 1:45 p.m. before Magistrate Judge Brooks for a detention hearing. The charges against Place are part of Operation Predator, an ongoing ICE enforcement initiative to identify, investigate, arrest and, in the case of foreign nationals, deport child sex predators. Since the initiative began in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 6,200 individuals nationwide, including more than 1,600 in California.
ICE Offers Help to Parents and Civic Groups
The ICE Community Outreach Coordinator position was created in January 2004 and resides within the ICE Office of Policy and Planning. The ICE Community Outreach Coordinator is responsible for establishing relationships with community leaders and coordinating meetings with ICE to discuss community issues. The Coordinator serves as a focal point within ICE for the community to raise issues. The ICE Community Outreach Coordinator is Mrs. Su Daly. Community questions, issues and concerns should be forwarded to her at su.daly@dhs.gov or 202-514-7935.
Earl John Place, 61, was named in a two-count federal indictment handed down in San Diego on September 7 that was unsealed upon his arrest on September 13. The charges are the result of an investigation by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance from Mexican law enforcement officials.
The indictment against Place alleges that between June and September of this year, he used the mail and a computer to attempt to induce a young boy to engage in unlawful sexual activity and that on August 21, 2005, he attempted to transfer obscene material to a minor under 16 years of age.
Place is currently in federal custody in San Diego after being arrested in Mexico City by Mexican law enforcement officials September 13. Place was immediately expelled from Mexico by Mexican immigration officials.
No one has license to sexually exploit children, period,” said United States Attorney Carol Lam. “This is true regardless of where a person lives or what station in life he occupies.”
The Internet does not recognize international borders,” said Michael Unzueta, special agent-in-charge for ICE investigations in San Diego. “This investigation is a perfect example of why cooperation with our law enforcement counterparts in Mexico is so vitally important.”
Place is due back in federal court September 15 at 1:45 p.m. before Magistrate Judge Brooks for a detention hearing. The charges against Place are part of Operation Predator, an ongoing ICE enforcement initiative to identify, investigate, arrest and, in the case of foreign nationals, deport child sex predators. Since the initiative began in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 6,200 individuals nationwide, including more than 1,600 in California.
ICE Offers Help to Parents and Civic Groups
The ICE Community Outreach Coordinator position was created in January 2004 and resides within the ICE Office of Policy and Planning. The ICE Community Outreach Coordinator is responsible for establishing relationships with community leaders and coordinating meetings with ICE to discuss community issues. The Coordinator serves as a focal point within ICE for the community to raise issues. The ICE Community Outreach Coordinator is Mrs. Su Daly. Community questions, issues and concerns should be forwarded to her at su.daly@dhs.gov or 202-514-7935.
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