2011.08.05: August 5, 2011: Ex-Peace Corps volunteer Jesse Osmun charged in sex abuse case

Peace Corps Online: Directory: South Africa: Peace Corps South Africa : Peace Corps South Africa: Newest Stories: 2011.08.05: August 5, 2011: RPCV Jesse Osmun Accused of Sexually Abusing Young Girls While Working in South Africa : 2011.08.05: August 5, 2011: RPCV Jesse Osmun Accused of Sexually Abusing Young Girls While Working in South Africa : 2011.08.05: August 5, 2011: Ex-Peace Corps volunteer Jesse Osmun charged in sex abuse case

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Ex-Peace Corps volunteer Jesse Osmun charged in sex abuse case

Ex-Peace Corps volunteer Jesse Osmun charged in sex abuse case

Agents from the Peace Corps' Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Jesse Osmun, 32, of Glen Street, Milford, on charges that he traveled from the U.S. to engage in sexual conduct with a minor. The charge carries a maximum 30-year prison term and $250,000 fine. U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons Thursday ordered him detained without bond. A criminal complaint signed by Special Agent Joyce Shores, of the Peace Corps' Office of Inspector General, alleged that Osmun "provided a written confession" that "he engaged in sexual contact with three underage girls for approximately one year." "Mr. Osmun is charged with a shocking breach of the power entrusted to him as a Peace Corps volunteer," said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer, of the Criminal Division in Washington. "Allegedly, he repeatedly sexually abused five minor girls under the age of six, horrific crimes."

Ex-Peace Corps volunteer Jesse Osmun charged in sex abuse case

Ex-Peace Corps volunteer from Milford charged in sex abuse case

Michael P. Mayko, Staff Writer

Updated 02:29 p.m., Friday, August 5, 2011

BRIDGEPORT -- Federal agents arrested a 31-year-old former Peace Corps volunteer on charges he sexually abused at least five young girls while working in a South African preschool.

Agents from the Peace Corps' Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Jesse Osmun, 32, of Glen Street, Milford, on charges that he traveled from the U.S. to engage in sexual conduct with a minor. The charge carries a maximum 30-year prison term and $250,000 fine. U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons Thursday ordered him detained without bond.

A criminal complaint signed by Special Agent Joyce Shores, of the Peace Corps' Office of Inspector General, alleged that Osmun "provided a written confession" that "he engaged in sexual contact with three underage girls for approximately one year."

"Mr. Osmun is charged with a shocking breach of the power entrusted to him as a Peace Corps volunteer," said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer, of the Criminal Division in Washington. "Allegedly, he repeatedly sexually abused five minor girls under the age of six, horrific crimes."

In the complaint, Shores said that Osmun admitted that two of the children engaged in oral sex with him. The agent also advised Fitzsimmons that Osmun "admitted to regular sexual contact with a (fourth) child who is approximately 5 years old ... twice a week for approximately five months" and with a fifth child.

Osmun's website, which contains a section entitled "Helping Non Profits Understand Africa," acknowledges that he spent a year in South Africa with a non-governmental organization working to develop HIV/AIDS programming. Prior to that, his website says he spent 10 months in Kenya working with orphans and older school children.

Osmun resigned from the Peace Corps on May 26 and left South Africa June 1.

Two weeks later, the Peace Corps' office began an investigation after receiving a complaint from its South African county director. Shores said Osmun began working as a volunteer in the Umvoti AIDS Center in Greytown, South Africa, in March 2010. On June 14, Shores traveled to Greytown and interviewed a preschool teacher at the Umvoti center who he said witnessed Osmun in the preschool toy room with three young girls, all under 6 years old. She also said one of the girls told her Osmun gave her candy as an enticement for sex, according to Shores' affidavit.

The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney David Fein and Assistant U.S. Attorney Krishna Patel.





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Headlines: August, 2011; Peace Corps South Africa; Directory of South Africa RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for South Africa RPCVs; Sexual Assault and Harassment; Crime





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