A 51-year-old man from the United States has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for traveling to the Dominican Republic to engage in sex acts with minors.
Theodore William Symonds, a U.S. citizen, was arrested on March 23, 2017, by local Dominican authorities for crimes related to the sexual abuse of children.
Symonds frequently traveled between the United States and the Dominican Republic, including on March 20, 2017, when he was caught engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners stand united against child exploitation and abuse, said U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg.
ICE-HSI began investigating Symonds shortly after his arrest and uncovered evidence of his sexual abuse of children, both in person and using the internet.
Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Miami, said the sentence should send a powerful message to child predators who believe they can evade law enforcement by using international travel to engage in this type of reprehensible behavior.
Mr. Greenberg commends the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI and thanked local prosecutors and law enforcement officers in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, for their assistance in the case.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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