NJ Millionaire Anthony “Mark” Bianchi to Stand Trial For International Child Sex Tourism

Seven years ago Anthony “Mark” Bianchi, a NJ millionaire, was convicted by a Russian Court of molesting children, sent him to prison and then expelled him from the country. It would appear that Bianchi learned little in those 7 years in a Russian prison. US officials allege, over the next few years Anthony Mark Bianchi traveled to Moldova, Romania, Cambodia and Cuba to recruit destitute boys for sexual trysts.

“Americans who believe they can sexually abuse children abroad without facing consequences at home are sadly mistaken,” said John Kelleghan, a special agent for ICE, in a January 12 statement issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). “ICE will use all of its resources to bring international sex tourists to justice.”

Read the Indictment; United States of America v. Anthony Mark Bianchi

Eight Moldovan teens were flown in to testify against a N.J. millionaire accused of child molestations there

Anthony “Mark” Bianchi, 44, of North Wildwood, NJ, begins trial beginning Monday under a  federal law aimed at thwarting “sex tourism.” He is accused in this country of committing crimes, assaulting nearly a dozen minors on foreign soil.

More than 50 cases have been brought under what’s known as the Protect Act, and more than 30 of the defendants have been convicted, the Justice Department says. In the case due to start Monday, prosecutors charge that Bianchi assaulted nearly a dozen teenagers and plied them with money, liquor, gifts and trips. “Americans go to these countries and create a pretty bad image,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Levy said. “A hundred dollars can buy a lot of food for a pretty long time for a lot of these families. … This is the kind of case that shows why there’s a need for this (law).”

Protect Act of 2003

News Release of the arrest of Anthony Mark Bianchi and 28-year-old Ion Gusin

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Patrick L. Meehan and John Kelleghan, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Philadelphia, today announced the filing of an indictment against Anthony Mark Bianchi, 44, of North Wildwood, New Jersey. Bianchi is charged with one count of conspiracy to engage in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, two counts of traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, two counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, and one count of using a facility in foreign commerce to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. ICE agents arrested Bianchi at his North Wildwood, N.J. on Wednesday, January 11th. Also charged by authorities in the Republic of Moldova is 28-year-old Ion Gusin, who allegedly served as Bianchi’s translator. Moldovan police arrested Gusin Wednesday. From December 2003 through until at least October 17, 2005, the defendant allegedly conspired to travel from Philadelphia International Airport to Cuba, the Republic of Moldova and Romania to engage in illicit sexual conduct with males younger than 16 years of age. The defendant also allegedly used the telephone in an attempt to obtain illicit sexual activity from Romanian males younger than 16.

UPDATE I: Four Moldovan teenagers testified in ‘Sex Tourism’ Case

Four Moldovan teenagers testified Wednesday that a wealthy American motel owner tried to seduce them, sometimes with invitations to play a children’s game in the boarding house where he was staying.

Prosecutors say Bianchi, 44, of North Wildwood, N.J., tossed money around the small, picturesque village to ingratiate himself with the local residents when he was in the former Soviet republic in the winter of 2003-04. They charge that Bianchi assaulted nearly a dozen teenagers in exchange for money, liquor, gifts and travel, including trips to Cuba and Romania.

Of course defence attorney, Mark Geragos states his client is innocent and just a target because of his wealth. Let’s have Geragos have his teenagle male relatives spend the summer with Mr. Bianchi. Hardly think that it would be a consideration on the part of Geragos.

Four of the five slender, sometimes bewildered teenage boys from Moldova who testified Wednesday said that Bianchi made advances such as caressing their hair and had oral sex with some. Prosecutors withdrew a fifth witness after the boy could not identify Bianchi in the courtroom.