Brevard-Online.com Everything Brevard County Florida, All Day, Every Day
WordPress database error: [Unknown column 'cat_par' in 'field list']SELECT `id`, `cat`, `cat_loc`, `cat_par` FROM `wp_adrotate_groups` WHERE `cat_loc` > 0 AND `cat_loc` < 5;
A federal magistrate Monday found there is probable cause for the government to prosecute a United States Army veteran who is charged with promoting international sex tours for pedophiles.
The prosecution team argued successfully to a federal judge that 51-year-old Patrick Minga believed he was setting up a sex tour for pedophiles based in Rockledge to a small town in Ecuador, which established probable cause for the charge, which could bring him 30 years in prison, if convicted.
Must see video: Man, 86, shoots grandson, kills grandson’s wife
“I’m not surprised the judge found probable cause because it’s such a low burden,” said WESH 2 legal analyst Alicia Adamson. “Children are our most innocent victims, and the state and federal government are actively trying to make sure these people are contained.”
Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Major Case Detective Michael Spadafora testified that he answered a Craigslist ad offering South American sex tours to Ecuador with unlimited women.
When he brought up the idea of having sex with young girls, according to testimony, Minga replied he “specializes in taboo” and that he was using lollipops to entice young girls to participate.
The judge brought the lollipop comment as an indication Minga was actively involved in enticing children.
“I guarantee if this case goes to trial you’ll hear lollipop in the opening statement and closing argument,” Adamson said.
Also see: Calif. man’s yard pays tribute to everything Navy
Minga’s lawyer asked that his client be freed pending his trial, but the judge found him to be too much of a flight risk and potential danger to children.
The U.S. State Department found that 2 million children are victimized in this way and cited Central and South America as two hot spots for child sex tourism.
Published at Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:46:08 +0000
