American to be sentenced in Haitian sexual abuse case

[Judi Lynn]

American to be sentenced in Haitian sexual abuse case
By Vladimir Duthiers and Hannah Yi, "AC360" Staff
December 21, 2010 3:36 a.m. EST

Cap-Haitien, Haiti (CNN) -- An American who set up a school for homeless street boys in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, could face nearly 20 years in prison after he admitted sexually abusing some of the same children he sheltered, clothed and educated. Douglas Perlitz, 40, will be sentenced Tuesday in New Haven, Connecticut.

In September 2009, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Perlitz. He denied all accusations, but in August Perlitz pleaded guilty to one count of traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. He also admitted to engaging in sexual conduct with eight minors.

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Perlitz went to Haiti in 1997 and started a charity called Project Pierre Toussiant (PPT). Over the years, PPT grew into a 10-acre compound with dorms, classrooms and a soccer field. Perlitz frequently flew back to Fairfield, Connecticut, to raise money. According to court documents, from 2002 to 2008, donors gave Perlitz more than $2 million to help care for the kids. His alma mater, Fairfield University, also gave him an honorary degree in 2002 for helping homeless boys in Haiti.

Francilien Jean-Charles was 12 years old and living on the streets when Perlitz found him.
"I thanked God when I met Douglas," said Jean-Charles. "But when things started to turn bad, I realized it would have been better if I never came to PPT."

Jean-Charles and a dozen other boys said they were routinely raped by Perlitz for years. They would lie awake in their dorms wondering who would be Perlitz's victim. Fredlin Legrand said he could never sleep peacefully.

More:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/12/21/haiti.abuse/index.html