U.S. ATTORNEY Press Release -- SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT CHARGES FORMER CONNECTICUT RESIDENT WITH SEXUALLY ABUSING 18 BOYS IN HAITI

U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney District of Connecticut www.justice.gov/usao/ct   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 28, 2010 CONTACT: Tom Carson Public Information Office (203) 821-3722 (203) 996-1393 (cell)                           SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT CHARGES FORMER CONNECTICUT RESIDENT WITH SEXUALLY ABUSING 18 BOYS IN HAITI           Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport returned a superseding indictment today charging DOUGLAS PERLITZ with additional counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of several boys in Haiti .  PERLITZ was the founder and director of Project Pierre Toussaint, a boys school in Cap-Haitien , Haiti .         The superseding indictment charges PERLITZ, 39, a former Connecticut resident, with nine counts of traveling outside of the United States with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with persons under the age of 18, and 10 counts of engaging in sexual conduct in foreign places with persons under the age of 18.  The alleged activity occurred between 1998 and 2008.         On September 15, 2009, the grand jury returned an indictment charging PERLITZ with 10 counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of nine boys.  The superseding indictment adds nine counts and references an additional nine alleged victims.         PERLITZ has been detained since his arrest on September 16, 2009.         U.S. Attorney Dannehy stated that this is an ongoing investigation and encouraged anyone with information that may be relevant to the investigation to call ICE in Connecticut at 203-773-2029.         If convicted, PERLITZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a fine of up to $250,000, on each count of the Indictment.         U.S. Attorney Nora R. Dannehy stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.         This matter is being investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") in New Haven , with the assistance of ICE in Grand Junction , Colorado ; ICE International Affairs in Washington , D.C. and the Caribbean Attaché, and the U.S. Department of State, Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti .         U.S. Attorney Dannehy also acknowledged the critical assistance provided by the Haitian National Police Department, the Brigade of Protection of Minors, and the assistance of individuals who have come forward to provide information to law enforcement.         This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Krishna R. Patel and Stephen B. Reynolds. ###