The Political Economy of Tourism in Cambodia

LOS ANGELES — Three men expelled from Cambodia will face federal charges as part of an initiative targeting Americans who travel there to have sex with children.

Authorities said Ronald Boyajian, Erik Peeters and Jack Sporich would arrive in Los Angeles later Monday after being expelled from Cambodia where they were each arrested in February. Seperate criminal complaints have been filed against the men.

At a news conference Monday, authorities said the U.S. citizens are the first to be charged under "Operation Twisted Traveler," which seeks to prosecute people who go to Cambodia for so-called child sex tourism.

All three men have been previously convicted of sex offenses in the United States.

"These types of cases are disturbing not only because young, defenseless children were victimized in unspeakable ways but also because the defendants went to such lengths to engage in their dark activities overseas," U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien said at the news conference.

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