Accused globe-trotting predator pleads not guilty
A onetime Palm Springs resident accused of flying tothe Philippines to have sex with boys he met online pleaded not guilty todayto federal charges and was ordered detained pending trial by a Los Angelesjudge who found the former USC professor to be a “danger to the community.”
Walter Lee Williams appeared in court shackled, handcuffed and wearingstreet clothes to answer to charges contained in a four-count federalindictment alleging crimes involving two 14-year-old boys that he met online in2010.
“I plead not guilty,” Williams, 64, responded firmly when asked byU.S. Magistrate Judge Carla Woehrle, who granted the prosecution’s motion fordetention pending trial, citing flight risk and danger to the community.
The judge said she found “no condition or combination of conditions toensure the safety of the community” if Williams were to be released. Woehrlealso cited Williams’ residence in Mexico and apparent lack of community ties orlocal employment.
He was ordered held in federal custody pending trial set for Aug. 13. AJuly 29 status conference was also scheduled.
Williams was apprehended by Mexican authorities in the resort city ofPlaya del Carmen in the state of Quintana Roo on Tuesday — a day after he wasadded to the FBI’s list of its Ten Most Wanted fugitives. A picture of thenewly named fugitive ran in a local newspaper, and he was recognized by aMexican citizen having a cup of coffee in the seaside town about 8:30 p.m. Monday, according to Bill Lewis of the FBI.
Williams was flown to Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday night.
He was charged in an indictment filed in Los Angeles federal courtalleging one count of producing child pornography, one count of traveling forthe purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and two countsof engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places.
Williams taught anthropology, gender studies and history at USC until2011. Under the guise of academic research, he traveled in the Philippines andelsewhere in Southeast Asia to have sex with underage boys, according to theFBI, which reported having identified 10 victims between ages 9 and 17.
The indictment alleges Williams traveled from Los Angeles to thePhilippines in January 2011 to engage in sex acts with two 14-year-old boys hemet online in 2010.
Prior to his travel, Williams allegedly engaged in sexual activity viaInternet webcam sessions with these boys and expressed a desire to visit themin the Philippines to have sex. Then, while in the Philippines, he allegedlyengaged in sex acts with both boys and produced sexually explicit photos of oneof them.
Williams fled Los Angeles about a week after returning from thePhilippines after he was questioned by the FBI, Eimiller said.
Los Angeles Assistant police Chief Michel Moore said the case came tolight about two years ago when a Los Angeles resident concerned about thesafety of children contacted authorities. Moore said “there are other victimswho have suffered by this man’s actions.”
Before the arrest, the FBI received information about a possiblelocation for Williams and asked Mexican authorities to apprehend him, said FBIspokeswoman Laura Eimiller.
