Ex-Peace Corps volunteer gets 15 years for abusing young children in South Africa

A former Peace Corps volunteer, who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing several children under the age of 6 while working at an AIDS center in South Africa, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Jesse Osmun, 32, of Glen Street in Milford, was a volunteer at the Umvoti AIDS Center in Greytown, South Africa, where he worked in the preschool after becoming a Peace Corps volunteer in 2010, authorities said.

While volunteering at the preschool, Osmun sexually molested the girls -- who referred to him as "uncle" -- and gave them candy in exchange, according to documents.


“Instead of promoting peace and providing much needed assistance consistent with the mission of the Peace Corps, this volunteer took advantage of his position and sexually abused vulnerable young children at an AIDS center pre-school in South Africa,” U.S. Attorney David Fein said in a statement.

Osmun admitted that he engaged in acts with one of his victims twice per week for about five months.

'No refuge' for sex predators
After serving his sentence, Osmum will be subject to 10 years of supervised release.

The Umvoti center is a non-governmental organization that provides support for those affected by the AIDS virus.

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It also provides education, food and services for children between the ages of 3 and 15.

“As this sentence demonstrates, there will be no refuge for child sexual predators who believe that they can victimize children outside the United States,” Peter Vincent, director of Homeland Security Investigation’s Office of International Affairs, said.

“No place is too distant or too remote to escape the attention of HSI special agents, who conduct these types of investigations worldwide,” he added.

Osmun was arrested at his house on Aug. 4, 2011 and has been detained since.

In June, Osmun waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of traveling from the United States to South Africa to engage in illicit sexual conduct with children and admitted that he sexually abused four minor girls while he was a volunteer with the United States Peace Corps.

Peace Corps set up victims' fund
Osmun resigned from the Peace Corps after being confronted by the Umvoti center's program director about the allegations and admitting to having a sexual attraction to children and engaging in sex acts with some minors.

The Peace Corps has said it was made aware of the allegations after Osmun resigned in May 2011. The agency has condemned Osmun's actions as "reprehensible" and agreed to contribute $20,000 to a fund for the victims.

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Peace Corps volunteers, who are provided with a living allowance and receive transition funds after they complete 27 months of service, provide hands-on assistance in areas including health education, information technology and environmental preservation.

The Peace Corps has sent more than 200,000 Americans to serve in 139 countries.

Osmun apologized in court to the victims, his family and the Peace Corps. He said he struggles with feelings of guilt and shame and acknowledged that his victims will live with the scars of abuse forever.

"I sometimes wish I could take my brain out and wash it of all the memories I have," Osmun said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jump to discussion page: 1 2 3 4

WTF!! how come this POS evil son-of- b*tch only get 15 freaking years for sexually molesting dying children. This POS evil son-of-b*tch needs to rot in a south african prison and get molested by a those african leaving a tunnel as his bunghole. This is a travesty this bastard will go into prison with-out noone knowing the evil that this pig has done. Way to go USA protecting predators at all cost, death to this scumbag and every parasite just like him! Yeah he needs to have his brain extracted and pissed on by a million Africans!!! Sheeps in wolves clothes why did they even let this bastard received a just hearing they should have wrapped a kumho around his neck and let burn!!!

    Reply#29 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:26 AM EDT

    Child Molester? Come join the peace corps. Proud tradition of molesting children world wide.

    How could they let this happen?

    I think that stringent protocols need to be put in place where no one person is ever alone with children anywhere.

    POS will pray on anything anywhere at any time.

    Such a sad situation. And the SOB only gets 15 years. Less time than some other crimes that are not harming people.

    This man should of got 15 years for each act.

      Reply#30 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:37 AM EDT

      "I sometimes wish I could take my brain out and wash it of all the memories I have," Osmun said. Good idea. Take it out, soak it in lye, then replace it.

        Reply#31 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:37 AM EDT

        Monkey see, monkey do.

          Reply#32 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:38 AM EDT

          Why don't we study his brain to find out where it's wired wrong? Then we can screen everyone for the same bad wiring, and fix 'em up.

            Reply#33 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:42 AM EDT

            NO PICTURES, WHY! Because he is a White Man who was raping Black Children. If he was Black, his picture would be everywhere. Yrs ago this incident would have been overlooked, and by it being overlooked then made these Perverted Rapist to evolved from raping & murdering black children to doing the same to white children.

              Reply#34 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:43 AM EDT

              Who really wants to see a picture of a monster. I don't need the additional nightmare.

                #34.1 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:47 AM EDT

                Jomo-Whatever, why don't you go race bait somewhere else. His picture is on the internet, if you want to see him soooo bad, you just have to look. I feel sorry for you that something this heinous is just a matter of race to you tiny mind.

                • 3 votes
                #34.2 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:27 AM EDT

                Jomo, if you really must see what he looks like, click on Laffy Taffy's link (#1.9). You can see what the real boogey man looks like.

                By the way, those girls are raped by their own kind, too, you know. Pedophelia comes in all colors.

                  #34.3 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:54 AM EDT
                  Reply

                  Just another #TFAHB (total failure as human being)

                    Reply#35 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:56 AM EDT

                    I know it is the sad truth, but that's what usually happen when the so-called volunteers go to "Help" in other country.

                      Reply#36 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:06 AM EDT

                      Proof?

                        #36.1 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:27 AM EDT
                        Reply

                        Well that is good they caught him. But did you ever notice that the U. S. Attorney (DOJ) does not investigate themselves? Go to TENNESSEE GATE.COM to see how Senior Fed. Judge R. Allan Edgar "KNEW" the U. S. Attorney was LYING under oath to protect the MCKEE CORP. making their "LITTLE DEBBIE" cakes with well water contaminated with dozens of carcinogenic chemicals by the SUMMIT LANDFILL and shipped to our troops in Iraq and the rest of the world and the WAL MART CORP. dumping their used waste oil from 350 Wal Mart stores in the southeast into the Tennessee River was found to be all part of "ORGANIZED CRIME." Small wonder as the MCKEE CORP. takes in an estimated 100 MILLIONS monthly with the sale of their LITTLE DEBBIE products, seems as if everybody gets "PAID OFF" in the end, even Fed. Judges............

                          Reply#37 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:14 AM EDT

                          typo correction try the link now............TENNESSEEGATE.COM............

                            #37.1 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:50 AM EDT

                            lol, the web pages only seem to go through when TENNESSEEGATE.COM is typed in at the very top of the page.........http://tennesseegate.com....there is also an audio file

                              #37.2 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:58 AM EDT
                              Reply

                              Is this anyway tied to Oprah's schools and asst centers that were shut down because the school officials were pimping out the young girls

                                Reply#38 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:19 AM EDT

                                No, slufoot, this has nothing to do with Oprah's school. Her school is a private institution. No US tax dollars involved.

                                  #38.1 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:59 AM EDT
                                  Reply

                                  I am glad to see the Homeland Security go after this guy. There are many who travel internationally for just this purpose of accessing children where resources are scant so protection is also. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer it hurts to see the Peace Corps get a black eye. One pedophile is too many. But I think we should take a hard look at all of our folks overseas - tourists (sex tourism is a thriving industry), the military, State Department etc. I was a vounteer in the Philippines when the two American bases were there. I went on a site visit soon after arrival while still in training with another Volunteer. So, new to country, new to Peace Corps, learning new language and visiting in a new region for a weekend. The Volunteer took me with his Filipina girlfriend to a bar near Clark Airbase. He said it was to see a cultural show. The bar was packed with American servicemen. The first act in the cultural show was three little girls - maybe 6 to 8 years old, in their school uniforms who came out danced suggestively and stripped while the American men cheered. The acts went downhill from there ending with live sex involving audience participation. I had no way out, not knowing how to get the many miles back to where I was staying, not knowing the language, not feeling safe in a bar town with drunk men everywhere and a guerilla insurgency raging. There are many Amerasian children abandoned in the Philippines (and elsewhere). What do you think those children end up doing? When we are overseas we represent our country for good and bad. We need to police all of our folks. But we also need to realize that we are doing some good as well. I spent the next two years after that feeding hungry kids. That is what most Peace Corps Volunteers do.

                                  • 2 votes
                                  Reply#39 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:22 AM EDT

                                  That's gross and nasty, You should have stood outside until it was over and then firebombed the building after it was closed, maybe get some pictures of grown men leering at little girls and turned them in. So many options....

                                    #39.1 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:31 AM EDT

                                    People always seem to know what others should have done in situations they themselves have never been in! Yes, I could have stood outside in the dark surrounded by drunk men who came to have sex with whatever women were around. That would have worked out well for me. This was 1983. The attitude of the USG was boys will be boys. And as a result of female volunteers like me there were some changes after that. There just wasn't any thought given to female Volunteers safety let alone the safety of local women/children. I've spent the 20 years since working on GBV programs including those for children, a long way from that day I was a frightened 23 year old far from home. But all Americans should demand that we police our own and protect children around the globe.

                                    • 2 votes
                                    #39.2 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:43 AM EDT
                                    Reply

                                    This happens because we tolerate it. He should be hung. period. TYo the people who compare that to the taliban I say this. The taliban murder for intimidation and control. Which is disgusting. However if they behead someone for this type of horrible crime I say good for them....

                                    • 1 vote
                                    Reply#40 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:28 AM EDT

                                    A very sick part of the whole thing is HE wants HIS brain scrubbed. What about the children he abused and tormented, what about their brains? It is vile that he is selfish to the end, only thinking of his himself. 15 years is not long enough.

                                      Reply#41 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:33 AM EDT

                                      Should have killed him

                                        Reply#42 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:38 AM EDT

                                        Don't worry, John, someone will get to him, for sure.

                                          #42.1 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 12:01 PM EDT
                                          Reply

                                          As a former Peace Corps volunteer, I hate to see this extremely valuable and reputable service tainted by this terrible case.

                                          re: the offender, his brain is hard-wired for pedophilia, and will not be cured by prison. I'm wondering why chemical or physical castration is not mandated for this and related cases?

                                          • 2 votes
                                          Reply#43 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:41 AM EDT

                                          This guy is a dumbass. He is working at an AIDS center (where the kids have AIDS???), and he is sexually assaulting them?

                                          Rule #1 - don't molest kids.

                                          Rule #2 - don't put your member in someone who has AIDS.

                                          This guy broke both rules. What a tool.

                                          • 1 vote
                                          Reply#44 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:43 AM EDT

                                          The only cure for a pedophile is a bullet the brain. 15 years in a place where he will do nothing but fantasize and relive the abuses that he committed is no punishment at all and 10 years probation is almost laughable and when this guy is released early (and he will be because pedophiles become model prisoners so they can get out early) he will live his life as he wishes while his victims remain shattered for the rest of their lives. He should have been sentenced to death.

                                          • 2 votes
                                          Reply#45 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:48 AM EDT

                                          "I sometimes wish I could take my brain out and wash it of all the memories I have," Osmun said

                                          Yeah, that's right, it is STILL all about you!!!

                                          I'm sure there's someone in the crowd with an appropriate tool who would be happy to help him with that!

                                            Reply#46 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:54 AM EDT
                                            gutcheck1Deleted

                                            Just break is back (yes as in quadriplegic), tattoo "Child Rapist" on his forehead and throw him on the streets of NYC...

                                            I know I sound a bit harsh but I agree with SIESTASIS - he will NEVER be "rehabilitated." Every statistic points to the fact that child molesters just can't stop. This guy thought he could get away with it because he traveled to Africa - probably had family send him the candy.... next time, he'll kill the child in hopes of not being caught. Sorry, if I can't muster up any sort of kindness, sympathy or forgiveness for him and others like him.

                                            • 2 votes
                                            Reply#48 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:55 AM EDT

                                            What a scum bag, but I can't believe this guy only gets 15 years, I am sure if this type of abuse had happened to children in the U.S the would be a lot more publicity and I am sure the damn $20K the peace corps is providing to the victim fund which is deplorable and add insult to injury would be more like 20 million here. This guy is no different from the monster Gerry Sandusky who just got 60 years, and I am sure the victims will each get a tidy some of money. I find it sad that an organization like the peace corps would simply make a miserable contribution to these poor kids who I must say have suffered enough in their lives and now have to live with the black cloud of being abused by someone who was supposed to take care of them. I say send the bastard back to South Africa and let him stand trial there and be subjected to the South African prison system and I promise he would simple learn his lesson there. Here he'll simply serve enough time to be paroled on good behavior and will be at in again in no time.

                                            • 2 votes
                                            Reply#49 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:01 AM EDT

                                            Homeland security...? Well...at least they finally got someone who deserves it.

                                              Reply#50 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:08 AM EDT

                                              Where did this trial take place? It sounds like it happened in Connecticut. That is BS. American law has no jurisdiction over what happens in South Africa. This trial should have taken place there. And he should be put to death, if the accusations are true and he is found guilty.

                                              • 3 votes
                                              Reply#51 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:10 AM EDT

                                              Figures!

                                              Offender: Osmun is the son of a Catholic reverend in Milford, Connecticut and brother to Seth Osmun, a teacher who was arrested for possession of child pornography in February

                                              Read more: #ixzz290HeYOEb
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                                                Reply#52 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:12 AM EDT

                                                20K is a good payday in Africa! That's how we take care of all of our problems.......It's called "Buy-some_therapy". Thing is the victims won't see a cent of it; the crooked African "officials" will make sure the money is well spent. We don't belong over there in the first place, we have our own problems right here in the US but I have to say, Africa was a good place for this molester.

                                                  Reply#53 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:25 AM EDT

                                                  He's not the only one- not by a stretch. There is a rape epidemic thruout all of central and southern Africa and African men are causign it (after centuried of non-african men conquering anf abusing). Its pretty much like Thailand- a place where men around the world who want to abuse women and kids know they native men their don't care- unless they want to put on a show and make an example of a foreigner.
                                                  If the Peace Corp hadn't found out and done something, the African government (run my African men) would easliy have let it go or been paid off.

                                                  • 1 vote
                                                  Reply#54 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:25 AM EDT
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