"Letters found on the university professor's computer detailed how
``homeless, poor street children'' were available for sexual exploitation in
developing countries."
Teacher Convicted in Pedophile Case
By JOHN PACENTI
.c The Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) -- A university professor faces up to 100 years in prison after a
federal jury convicted him of smuggling a Honduran boy into the United States
to serve as his personal prostitute.
Marvin Hersh, a computer sciences professor at Florida Atlantic University in
Boca Raton, was convicted Tuesday on 10 counts of alien smuggling, passport
fraud and child pornography.
Prosecutor John McMillan said it was the first federal case involving charges
of bringing a juvenile into the country for the purpose of sex.
The bespectacled, balding 59-year-old showed no emotion when the jury's
verdict was announced.
``He was disappointed, very disappointed'' said defense attorney David Tucker.
Sentencing was set for July 9.
Hersh's defense claimed the boy was a son born to him out of a liaison with a
Honduran woman and that his interest was purely parental. Tucker argued the
Honduran family was bribed into testifying against Hersh in return for
promises of housing and U.S. visas.
Tucker said after the verdict the jury likely was influenced by sexually
explicit images of youngsters that were introduced as evidence.
``It's a very difficult thing to do,'' Tucker said. ``When you are looking at
a photograph like that it's very difficult emotionally to separate yourself
from it.''
Prosecutors claimed Hersh preyed on the Honduran family, trading toys,
clothing and money for sex and eventually a chance to bring one son, then 15,
into this country.
Letters found on the Hersh's computer detailed how he hoped to pass the boy
off as his own son and how ``homeless, poor street children'' were available
for exploitation in developing countries.
Tucker said he is considering filing a request for a new trial.
