 |
|
|
 News from Around the Americas | June 2005 
Former Aide to Financier Sentenced for Child Pornography
 Bay City News
A former aide to a San Francisco financier accused of so-called "sexual tourism" was sentenced in federal court today to four years and five months in prison for distribution of child pornography.
Nathan Lovaas, 28, a former personal assistant to multimillionaire investor Thomas White, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco.
Lovaas was indicted last September on charges of conspiracy to travel with intent to engage in sex with juveniles and distribution of child pornography.
He later pleaded guilty to the pornography charge. At the request of prosecutors, Breyer today dismissed the conspiracy count.
White, 70, is now in prison in Thailand and faces charges in both Mexico and the United States related to alleged molestation of children overseas, a crime sometimes known as sexual tourism.
In Mexico, White is accused of sexually abusing eight boys at his villa near Puerto Vallarta.
In federal court in San Francisco, White faces U.S. charges of conspiring to travel to Thailand and Mexico to engage in sexual acts with children. He is also accused of conspiring to produce child pornography in Prague and other European locations.
U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Luke Macaulay said he could not comment on whether White will be brought to Mexico or the United States first.
Lovaas told the judge today, "I realize that I was acting with a lack of regard as to how my actions would affect others. I'm very sorry."
Breyer praised Lovaas for acknowledging guilt but said, "The implications of what you and others are involved in are very, very, serious."
The judge ordered Lovaas to serve three years on supervised released after completing his prison term. He ordered Lovaas during that time to participate in a sex offender treatment program and to register with state authorities as a sex offender.
Defense attorney George Cotsirilos declined to comment on the case.
White has been separately sued in two civil lawsuits in state and federal court by several of his alleged victims.
David Replogle, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said a lawsuit filed against White in San Francisco Superior Court by Danny Garcia, 22, of Modesto, and Josh Beam, 20, of Visalia, is due to go to trial on July 11.
Replogle said a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of 22 Mexican youths is scheduled for trial in Breyer's court in October. |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us