Tennessee man faces charges of criminal sexual activity in Cambodia, ICE Public Affairs

July 3, 2007
Contact: Pat Reilly
ICE Public Affairs
(202) 514-2648

News Release

Tennessee man faces charges of criminal sexual activity in Cambodia
Case highlights international cooperation to return child sex tourists to U.S. for prosecution

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Escorted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agents, a Clarksville, Tenn., man, Roger Dale Green, was returned from Thailand to the United States to face federal charges in the Middle District of Tennessee. He appeared yesterday before a United States magistrate in Los Angeles for an initial appearance.

Green was arrested by the Cambodian National Police on Jan. 1, 2007, for crimes against children. On April 18, 2007, Green was indicted by a federal Grand Jury in the Middle District of Tennessee on a seven-count indictment, including charges of travel with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, engaging in elicit sexual conduct in foreign places, distribution of child pornography, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

“Whether a sexual predator is on the Internet or traveling to other nations to exploit children, ICE is using all of its law enforcement authorities to identify them and bring them to justice,” said Julie L. Myers, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for ICE. “In this case, ICE agents in Bangkok and the U.S. benefited greatly in their investigation from the hard work of Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE), Agape and Hagar as well as that of the Cambodian National Police and Diplomatic Security Service. Together, we are ensuring that those Americans who would prey on the world's children face justice here at home.”

Craig S. Morford, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, stated, “Allegations that a United States citizen has traveled to a foreign country in order to engage in illegal sex acts with minor children are serious and disturbing. This case, and the apprehension of this defendant, demonstrates the level of commitment and cooperation of the Department of Justice and our numerous domestic and international partners in ensuring that sexual predators are brought to justice no matter where they commit their heinous crimes.”

Greg Starr, Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), stated, “It’s this type of close, worldwide law enforcement liaison capability that gives Diplomatic Security unparalleled ability to locate, pursue, and apprehend fugitives like Green. His return highlights the critical role DSS plays in bringing suspects and fugitives to justice, regardless of where they may hide. Green’s apprehension was the direct result of law enforcement coordination and field efforts by Diplomatic Security, ICE, and the Cambodian National Police.”

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by ICE Attaché Bangkok and Resident Agent in Charge, Nashville, Tenn., the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service and the Cambodian National Police with assistance from three non-governmental organizations, Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE), Agape and Hagar.

The government of Cambodia expelled Green to Thailand because there are no direct flights to the Unites States from Cambodia. ICE Attaché Bangkok and ICE Special Agents from Nashville, Tenn., met Green on his arrival in Thailand and escorted him to the United States.

Green is one of the first Tennessee residents prosecuted on child sex tourism charges under the provisions of the PROTECT Act. The PROTECT Act substantially strengthened federal laws against predatory crimes involving children outside the United States by adding new crimes, increasing sentences, and modifying the burden of proof requirements for federal prosecutors to bring charges. President Bush signed the PROTECT Act into law in 2003.
Charges brought against a person through an indictment are accusations only. That person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

# ICE #

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.