Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 7:35 pm Post subject: Direct from Frisco USA.
SAN FRANCISCO
Astronaut's son arrested at airport
Steve Rubenstein
Tuesday, November 9, 2004
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The 54-year-old son of astronaut Walter Schirra was arrested at San Francisco International Airport on child sex charges as he tried to board a plane for Thailand, allegedly to solicit sex with underage boys, federal agents said Monday.
Walter M. Schirra III of San Francisco, a property manager, was arrested Saturday. A search of his luggage revealed photos of shirtless Asian boys, sexual performance prescription drugs, condoms and large amounts of candy, said Special Agent Catherine Miller of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. None of the seized items is illegal, but a search of a computer at Schirra's home revealed images of child pornography, Miller said.
Schirra is being held without bail pending a hearing Friday. He is the first person from the Bay Area to be arrested under a law passed last year to crack down on sex tourism.
In an 11-page criminal complaint, investigators revealed the contents of a series of e-mails between Schirra and two federal agents posing as pedophiles seeking to assist Schirra in planning his Asian trip.
One agent, using the alias "Rick,'' suggested Schirra visit a Cambodian village because it had "Boys, girls, you name it! They have ages 3 and up, whatever you want. It's very safe and clean,'' according to the complaint.
To that, Schirra replied, "I would appreciate any info you can share about meeting boys.'' In another e-mail, he told agents that a madam had brought young boys to him at his Bangkok hotel on a visit in May.
Schirra is the only son of U.S. astronaut Walter Schirra, one of the original seven astronauts in NASA's first space program. The senior Schirra orbited Earth in 1962, 1965 and 1968 and is the only astronaut to have flown in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.
I couldn't understand the candy either,,maybe he thinks that imported candy is to spendy here, or maybe it again the law to buy it, 555
When I lived in mexico, I heard of the USA busting a few guys for underage sex in Mexico since the USA passed that law that they will bust you no matter where you do it.
I think that Thailand should do more to protect the kids,,they say they do, and also say that prostitution is also illegal. But then when you look at it that way,,so is driving on the wrong side of the road,,crossing over a double solid line and parking in the middle of the street.,, so really nothing is illegal when they refuse to enforce any laws except immigration laws.
Agreed. They could make a fortune if they enforced the existing laws rather than just stopping people and asking for money. I also believe they need extra incentive to go after child molesters as well. _________________ Asia Expats Forum Expat Friends Dating
You hear a lot about it but not to much action.
The fines are listed for the tourist using, the Big Shots for running it, but not much about enforcement of existing laws.
And it is going to be very hard to stop as long as foreward looking politico are putting thousands of Baht in their pockets from the Rake off that those in power are doing.
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