Current:Home > InvestFormer orphanage founder in Haiti faces federal charges of sexually abusing minors-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Former orphanage founder in Haiti faces federal charges of sexually abusing minors
View Date:2024-12-23 23:15:27
DENVER (AP) — An orphanage founder in Haiti who faced past accusations of abusing boys in his care is facing criminal charges in the U.S. after an investigation revealed that he traveled to the Caribbean country to sexually abuse minors, federal officials said Tuesday.
Michael Geilenfeld, 71, previously sued a Maine activist over accusations he abused boys in Haiti, calling the claims “vicious, vile lies,” before an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI led to an indictment contending he traveled from Miami to the island nation “for the purpose of engaging in any illicit sexual conduct with another person under 18.”
Geilenfeld, who was arrested in Colorado, is expected to have a detention hearing in Denver on Thursday before being flown to Miami, where the case originated, officials said. His Massachusetts lawyer, Robert Oberkoetter, declined to comment.
Geilenfeld and North Carolina-based Hearts with Haiti sued the activist, Paul Kendrick, who accused Geilenfeld of being a serial pedophile after speaking to young men who claimed they were abused by Geilenfeld as boys in Port-au-Prince, where Geilenfeld founded the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in 1985.
In a federal civil lawsuit in Maine, Geilenfeld and the charity blamed Kendrick for Geilenfeld’s 237-day imprisonment in Haiti, damage to his reputation and the loss of millions of dollars in donations.
The activist’s insurance companies ended the lawsuit in 2019 by paying $3 million to Hearts with Haiti, but nothing to Geilenfeld.
Kendrick had praise Tuesday for those who stood up to the man who held the purse strings to their education, food, shelter and clothing.
“It took an unbelievable amount of courage for them to come forward and report their abuse,” he said.
The conduct cited by the grand jury happened between November 2006 and December 2010, when Geilenfeld was operating the orphanage.
The charge of traveling in foreign commerce for illicit sexual conduct has a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
Authorities in Haiti have long investigated sex abuse allegations against Geilenfeld, who was arrested in the Caribbean country in September 2014 but released a year later after his case was dismissed.
The alleged victims, who did not appear in court in Haiti, were granted an appeal, but the case has yet to go to trial as Haiti’s judicial system continues to crumble amid widespread corruption and a spike in gang violence.
veryGood! (296)
Related
- Jamie Lee Curtis and Don Lemon quit X, formerly Twitter: 'Time for me to leave'
- MSG Sphere in Vegas displays 32 NFL team helmets as part of first brand campaign
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick celebrate 35 years of marriage: 'Feels like a heartbeat'
- When do new 'Simpsons' episodes come out? Season 35 release date, cast, how to watch
- US Election Darkens the Door of COP29 as It Opens in Azerbaijan
- Battery parts maker Entek breaks ground on $1.5B manufacturing campus in western Indiana
- Suspect wanted in 2019 ambush that killed 9 American citizens is arrested in New Mexico
- New York police agree to reform protest tactics in settlement over 2020 response
- Dramatic video shows Phoenix police rescue, pull man from car submerged in pool: Watch
- 2 teens killed by upstate New York sheriff’s deputy who shot into their vehicle
Ranking
- What do nails have to say about your health? Experts answer your FAQs.
- Taco Bell free Taco Tuesday deal and $5 off DoorDash delivery Sept. 12
- Howie Mandel Reacts After Getting Booed by America's Got Talent Audience for Criticizing Kids Act
- Hurricane Lee's projected path and timeline: Meteorologists forecast when and where the storm will hit
- Lady Gaga Joins Wednesday Season 2 With Jenna Ortega, So Prepare to Have a Monster Ball
- Dramatic shot of a falcon striking a pelican wins Bird Photographer of the Year top prize
- TikToker went viral after man stole her shoes on date: What it says about how we get even
- Bruce Springsteen postpones September shows, citing doctor’s advice regarding ulcer treatment
Recommendation
-
Video ‘bares’ all: Insurers say bear that damaged luxury cars was actually a person in a costume
-
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas say they decided to amicably end our marriage
-
Taylor Momsen Shares the Real Reason She Decided to Leave Gossip Girl
-
Every Hollywood awards show, major movie postponed by writers' and actors' strikes
-
Judge hears case over Montana rule blocking trans residents from changing sex on birth certificate
-
Prosecutors ask a judge to revoke bond of mother of Virginia boy who shot his first-grade teacher
-
Japan launches rocket carrying X-ray telescope to explore origins of universe, lunar lander
-
Tropical Storm Lee: Projected path, maps and hurricane tracker