A Phnom Penh court has sentenced an American English teacher and his Cambodian accomplice to lengthy prison terms for the sexual exploitation of at least 20 boys, in a case that has drawn international attention.

On 25 June, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court handed down a 10‑year sentence to William Chandler White, 27, originally from Jacksonville, Florida. White, who had been working at a private English school in the capital, was convicted of engaging in child prostitution under Cambodia’s anti‑trafficking law. He will be deported once his sentence is complete.

His co‑accused, Pen Chanrith, 22, from Por Senchey district, received 12 years in prison for his role in procuring minors and producing child pornography. Both men were arrested in August 2024 by the Anti‑Human Trafficking and Minors Protection Police, working alongside the Child Protection Unit (CPU).

Exploitation network exposed

During the trial, both defendants admitted their crimes. Chanrith confessed to bringing around 20 street boys, aged between 14 and 18, to White in exchange for a commission of 30 dollars per child. White told the court he paid each boy about 100 dollars for sex, choosing them from photos Chanrith posted on Telegram.

White, who arrived in Cambodia as a tourist before finding work as a teacher, acknowledged his actions and said he would not appeal for leniency. “I accept the mistakes and I will not ask the court to reduce my sentence. I ask the court to decide it in accordance with Cambodia’s laws,” he told the judges.

Strong message from authorities

James McCabe, Director of the CPU, welcomed the verdict, stressing that it sends a clear warning to offenders. “These sentences send a clear message that those who seek to exploit children in Cambodia, whether foreign nationals or local facilitators, will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he said.

He praised the Cambodian National Police and government investigators for their dedication in securing justice for the victims.

Cambodia’s wider challenge

The case highlights Cambodia’s ongoing struggle against child exploitation, a problem that has tarnished the country’s reputation and drawn criticism from international watchdogs. Authorities have stepped up cooperation with foreign agencies to track offenders and dismantle networks, but campaigners say more needs to be done to protect vulnerable children.

For now, the conviction of White and Chanrith stands as a reminder that Cambodia is prepared to act decisively against those who prey on minors, regardless of nationality.

-2026-06-28

“I accept the mistakes and I will not ask the court to reduce my sentence. I ask the court to decide it in accordance with Cambodia’s laws”
Sure, mate, whatever you reckon. The judges don't need your permission.

A couple of lengths of some decent hemp rope would ensure the "remorse" is real.

US Homeland Security Investigations helped work the case, which matters for what comes next. A Cambodian sentence does not close the matter for White at home. Under the PROTECT Act, 18 U.S.C. 2423(c), American citizens can be prosecuted federally for sexual conduct with minors committed abroad, including commercial sex acts, carrying up to 30 years.

42 minutes ago, geovalin said:

Cambodian accomplice to lengthy prison terms for the sexual exploitation of at least 20 boys

Who employs people like this in the education system.

One glance and you'd recognise him as a kiddy fiddler.

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Who employs people like this in the education system.

One glance and you'd recognise him as a kiddy fiddler.

You mean because his face is all pixilated?

6 minutes ago, simon43 said:

You mean because his face is all pixilated?

Is that all you can see?

Have another look.

I'm sure the guy is straight off the LGBTQ float, at the rainbow parade.

When I lived in Cambodia in the early 2000's there was a politician that was quoted in the local paper. He said something like ”I don't know why these guys come over here and abuse these young boys. We have so many nice young girls to choose from...”

English teachers in Cambodia when I was there didn't need a diploma or formal education. I would say many of them had a high school diploma or less. It may have changed now.

3 minutes ago, gargamon said:

When I lived in Cambodia in the early 2000's there was a politician that was quoted in the local paper. He said something like ”I don't know why these guys come over here and abuse these young boys. We have so many nice young girls to choose from...”

Could you post a link to that quote up ?

4 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Could you post a link to that quote up ?

It was a local weekly rag in Phnom Penh that someone had posted (and highlighted the pertinent section) the article on the wall in a bar I frequented. I'm sure there's no link to that source.

2 minutes ago, gargamon said:

It was a local weekly rag in Phnom Penh that someone had posted (and highlighted the pertinent section) the article on the wall in a bar I frequented. I'm sure there's no link to that source.

Was it a bar that provided the services of underaged girls ?

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Was it a bar that provided the services of underaged girls ?

No, it was a mexican food/bar establishment. Pancho Villa was the name if I recall. Back then there were a few types that frequented Cambodia. The pedo's, the druggies, the poor that ended up teaching english, and those that liked the lifestyle. It was a wonderful place. No barfines, cheap food, cheap booze, etc. Paradise. I went to detach myself from technology as I'd been so tightly involved in tech it was time for a break. No internet at your house or phone. You'd go to an internet cafe to check your email and that was it. Buy a pirated cd/dvd for 50 cents or a dollar. No streaming.

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

You mean because his face is all pixilated?

It's because he's a foreigner that he commented. You cannot tell what a person is into by looking at them. Criminals get away with their trades because they are good at fooling others. This involves good looks, dress, mannerisms and money.

19 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

It's because he's a foreigner that he commented. You cannot tell what a person is into by looking at them. Criminals get away with their trades because they are good at fooling others. This involves good looks, dress, mannerisms and money.

I think you are mistaken in your assumption. Take a closer look at the photograph, looking specifically at the hands. Putting that together with the hairstyle, you get the impression that the person is not 'mainstream'.

Read carefully. 14 to 18 years, "child prostitution". That age wasn't even considered childhood not so long ago because in puberty boys are able to reproduce. The boys were probably consciously prostituting themselves, at least some of them. Although the monetary aspect is punished for different reasons, remember that the age of consent in Cambodia is 15, and even younger ones marry there locally (and receive money as presents from the local community at the day of their ceremony).

So the initial feeling of disgust and the usual mob-like comments (get a rope etc) don't catch the hypocrisy surrounding that topic. Furthermore, you can be sure that some military leaders, politicians and other people in charge there do just the same and get away with it. Otherwise, statistically, you would have a significant number of high profile people in Cambodia accused of the same crime. Do you?

The unredacted photograph, together with more details of the perpetrator. Judge for yourself.

For those who may not be observant, take note of his CV, where he claims to be a Childcare Specialist, looking after children aged from one year old to five years old, changing diapers and bathing children. Primary/Secondary school teaching grades; 1, 2,4 ,5 & 11.

Edited June 29Jun 29 by IsmeUno

On 6/27/2026 at 7:37 PM, Nick Carter icp said:

US Homeland Security Investigations helped work the case, which matters for what comes next. A Cambodian sentence does not close the matter for White at home. Under the PROTECT Act, 18 U.S.C. 2423(c), American citizens can be prosecuted federally for sexual conduct with minors committed abroad, including commercial sex acts, carrying up to 30 years.

Exactly, hallelujah, posted on an earlier thread, once he posts proper "bail" in Cambodia, say hello to U.S. authorities, scumbag.

Oh, it's easy to make comments like: "Is he related to Walter White?" But:

28 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

take note of his CV, where he claims to be a Childcare Specialist, looking after children aged from one year old to five years old, changing diapers

You are implying s.th. It is possible that he actually did good work and that he was conscious of what he was risking, he also has a B.A. in criminology. So perhaps he decided to use child prostitutes. The Cambodian government obviously can't prevent children (and adults) from offering themselves, some are just too poor to make it otherwise. I bet that half of those 20 will go back to it and continue to do it as official adults.

Now just imagine for some reason in a futuristic "1984" scenario it would be prohibited to have sex with the persons YOU prefer, let's say adult women or men. What will you ask yourself at some point? "Will I risk jail to get what I want, or won't I?" Thats probably the situation those are in who like boys between the age of 14 to 18. That speaks of their desperation, and society has no answer for it than waiting for it to happen and then punish it heavily. And the mob is pleased to indulge in violent phantasies.

On 6/28/2026 at 9:01 AM, geovalin said:

During the trial, both defendants admitted their crimes. Chanrith confessed to bringing around 20 street boys, aged between 14 and 18, to White in exchange for a commission of 30 dollars per child.

how stupid do you have to be to throw your life away for 600 dollars?

27 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

how stupid do you have to be to throw your life away for 600 dollars?

According to the report, if he saw each boy only once, he paid at least 20 x 100, that is 2.000 USD only for them. And if he receives 30 years in the US, he will be in jail 18 months at least for every sexual encounter, whatever it consisted of. Would you go to jail for one and a half year for every f.. you had?

On 6/28/2026 at 12:37 PM, Nick Carter icp said:

US Homeland Security Investigations helped work the case, which matters for what comes next. A Cambodian sentence does not close the matter for White at home. Under the PROTECT Act, 18 U.S.C. 2423(c), American citizens can be prosecuted federally for sexual conduct with minors committed abroad, including commercial sex acts, carrying up to 30 years.

There are similar laws in Australia for offences committed overseas. The Australian man who killed the 17 year old girl a few days ago will be tried again once his prison sentence in Thailand is completed, assuming he ever gets out of a Thai jail.

4 minutes ago, Jabberwocky said:

According to the report, if he saw each boy only once, he paid at least 20 x 100, that is 2.000 USD only for them. And if he receives 30 years in the US, he will be in jail 18 months at least for every sexual encounter, whatever it consisted of. Would you go to jail for one and a half year for every f.. you had?

i miscalculated

yeah, and there's a never ending stream of boys, I guess.

why stop at 20?

Just take this scum bag out back and put two behind his ear!! There should be a global death penalty for #ChildRapists (including Trump)!! The more miserable the method, the better!!

4 hours ago, Jabberwocky said:

Read carefully. 14 to 18 years, "child prostitution". That age wasn't even considered childhood not so long ago because in puberty boys are able to reproduce. The boys were probably consciously prostituting themselves, at least some of them. Although the monetary aspect is punished for different reasons, remember that the age of consent in Cambodia is 15, and even younger ones marry there locally (and receive money as presents from the local community at the day of their ceremony).

So the initial feeling of disgust and the usual mob-like comments (get a rope etc) don't catch the hypocrisy surrounding that topic. Furthermore, you can be sure that some military leaders, politicians and other people in charge there do just the same and get away with it. Otherwise, statistically, you would have a significant number of high profile people in Cambodia accused of the same crime. Do you?

^ More red flags flying than if Chinese leader Xi Jimping visited Pyongyang to celebrate Communism day on an official state visit

3 hours ago, Jabberwocky said:

Now just imagine for some reason in a futuristic "1984" scenario it would be prohibited to have sex with the persons YOU prefer, let's say adult women or men. What will you ask yourself at some point? "Will I risk jail to get what I want, or won't I

Equating normal adult-adult relationships to raping Children!!!!!!!!!

Unless you are a rapist , you will just have to live with not being able to have sex with whom ever you want

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Equating normal adult-adult relationships to raping Children!!!!!!!!!

Unless you are a rapist , you will just have to live with not being able to have sex with whom ever you want

So magically if s.o. turns 18 what's punished a day before is suddenly okay? So childhood ends at a certain fixed 18th birthday? But wait a minute, that's not even true worldwide ...

In this report they spoke about prostitution, not rape.

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

^ More red flags flying than if Chinese leader Xi Jimping visited Pyongyang to celebrate Communism day on an official state visit

You may read my comment as an attempt to explain what may be going on in a person that those who ask for the death penalty are unwilling to understand and put into perspective. Actually, for a clinical psychologist it's obvious that those people with their comments here are no less dangerous due to their aggressions.

So, what will you do with all the minors who get each other pregnant in Cambodia? Put them behind bars because by definition it must be rape when someone younger than 18 has sex?

1 hour ago, Jabberwocky said:

You may read my comment as an attempt to explain what may be going on in a person that those who ask for the death penalty are unwilling to understand and put into perspective. Actually, for a clinical psychologist it's obvious that those people with their comments here are no less dangerous due to their aggressions.

People who want to punish child rapists are just as bas as the child rapists themselves ?

Child rapists need to be kept away from children , either jailed for life or killed .

Your side wants to harm innocent people , my side doesn't want innocent people harmed , thats the difference

1 hour ago, Jabberwocky said:

So, what will you do with all the minors who get each other pregnant in Cambodia? Put them behind bars because by definition it must be rape when someone younger than 18 has sex?

Youngsters naturally having consensual sex is one thing and legal .

Adults paying children for sex is rape and illegal

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Youngsters naturally having consensual sex is one thing and legal .

Adults paying children for sex is rape and illegal

You are just repeating ideology. What is "naturally" here? Did you miss the recent murder case where a 17 year old Thai willingly went to the room of an old foreigner? Do you think she found that "unnatural" at that point? So you are just ignoring part of reality. Rape is by definition if s.o. is taken sexually by force/violence against their will. I don't know how anyone capable of a language could let it happen that this word can now be used for consensual intimacy. That's ideology. And that's why the question remains unanswered why it should suddenly be different at midnight when s.o. turns 18.

That' just some idea of lazy people who don't want to look at each case individually and haven't reflected their own sexuality deep enough

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

People who want to punish child rapists are just as bas as the child rapists themselves ?

Child rapists need to be kept away from children , either jailed for life or killed .

Your side wants to harm innocent people , my side doesn't want innocent people ha

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

People who want to punish child rapists are just as bas as the child rapists themselves ?

Child rapists need to be kept away from children , either jailed for life or killed .

Your side wants to harm innocent people , my side doesn't want innocent people harmed , thats the difference

Of course. You said it yourself. 1) You don't even know what the guy exactly did, there was no trial. But you judged him already. That's called a lynchmob. 2) You plead for killing. Supporting killing is ethically worse than paying young male prostitutes. 3) You also smear other posters by stating intentions they don't have ("harm innocent people"). Nowhere have I said he wouldn't deserve punishment.

Therefore it is obvious that you are morally not on par even with a guy who readily accepts a 10 year sentence for perhaps just 20 times sex.