Written by DAP NEWS
Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Wednesday sentenced an American man and a Vietnamese woman to 10 year in prison each and fines of CR20 million for the crimes of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Michael James Dodd of Washing- ton, DC, 60, a teacher, and Chan Phally, 40, were arrested on October 26, 2008 at house #1D, Phsar Thmei III, Daun Penh district.
A 14-year-old daughter of Chan Phally, who filed the complaint, and Jamedalk, 16, a female Vietnamese victim cooperated with NGOs to bring the case, in the court there were Chan Marady Council Judgment Director, representative of prosecutor Kry Sok Ey as well as defend lawyer of a girl’s victim attended. Dodd said in court denied he had abused the child, suggesting he and her mother “only celebrated her birthday and engagement.”
Chan Phally told a similar tale. “I did not sell [my daughter] to an American man; we just did like ‘Jamedalk’ said.”
The defense team said claimed that the two had only indulged in an innocent celebration. “They only celebrated the engagement of Phally´s daughter; ‘Jamedalk’ kissed her and not did something like the victim accused.” Dodd’s actions were said to be “normal” by his law yer. A lawyer for the prosecution said the case was clearly sexual exploitation and trafficking.
The victim said that Dodd had kissed her and intimately touched her despite her pleas to wait until they were officially married.
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