KATHMANDU, Oct 4: Kathmandu District Court on Sunday allowed the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police to keep a US citizen and his Nepali aide charged with pedophilia in its custody for carrying out further investigation.
According to CIB Spokesperson Superintendent of Police Dibesh Lohani, six cases have been filed against the two, charging them mainly with human trafficking and child sex abuse.
A squad of CIB had arrested the 48-year-old Kenneth Joseph Coombs, who hails from Illinois, USA, and his accomplice Buddha Putawar aka Lucche, 21, of Swayambhu from Yambu Hotel in Thamel few weeks ago along with a few children in compromising position.
The police recovered vulgar videos and photos related to pedophilia from Coombs' laptop and devices. Pedophilia is a psychiatric disorder that involves sexual feeling towards prepubescent children.
“We have recorded statements from six of the 10 children rescued from various places, some of whom were repeatedly victimized,” according to CIB Spokesperson Lohani.
The police have also claimed the involvement of a group of pedophiles based in Nepal who lure prepubescent boys from outskirts of Kathmandu with cash, clothes and abroad visits.
Meanwhile, the US national arrested in Nepal on charge of molesting children has had a history of sexual misconduct. Interpol Washington has confirmed that Kenneth Joseph Coombs, 48, was convicted twice in cases related to sexual misconduct and assault in the US. Coombs was arrested in Nepal on September 11 for his alleged involvement in immoral activities befitting a pedophile.