Frank Lombard, Duke Univ. Official, Charged In Child Sex Case

(AP) WASHINGTON - A Duke University official has been arrested and charged with offering his adopted 5-year-old son for sex.

Frank Lombard, the school's associate director of the Center for Health Policy, was arrested after an Internet sting, according to the FBI's Washington field office and the city's police department.

According to an affidavit by District of Columbia Police Det. Timothy Palchak, an unnamed informant facing charges in his own child sex case led authorities to Lombard.

Authorities said that Lombard tried to persuade a person -- who he did not know was a police officer -- to travel to North Carolina to have sex with Lombard's child.

The detective's affidavit charges Lombard identified himself online as "perv dad for fun," and says that in an online chat with the detective, Lombard said he had sexually molested his son, whom he adopted as an infant.

The court papers say Lombard also invited the undercover detective to North Carolina to have sex with the young boy, and even suggested which hotel he should use.

Lombard was charged in federal court in Washington with attempting to induce someone to cross state lines to engage in sex with a child. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Lombard's lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs at Duke, said Lombard has been employed with Duke University since 1999. He is now on unpaid administrative leave.

"Duke is cooperating with the investigation," Schoenfeld said. He said the university was notified of the incident after Lombard was arrested.

Authorities executed a search warrant Wednesday evening at Lombard's home, according to court documents. The papers show investigators seized two webcams, five computers and a sex toy, among other items.

Comments

[shel3364]

Let's pray to God that this is the first time he offered the child up.

THere's no punishment severe enough for people who participate in this.

[Chaimirija]

read the warrent; he already RapedTheChild

[MNmommy]

I think the OP meant, offered the baby for sale. Doesn't matter though - the whole f'in thing is so unbelievably depraved.

[RachelMc]

this is god's will. maybe this is for the greater good.

(sarcasm)

[JulieSA]

Sorry, don't get the joke.

[brandnewstuff]

mcle3002

the warrant- I am able to take job of just killing this man. if that job is available- I personally accept-

my heart breaks for the child :(

[Chaimirija]

i lost it

[jbrantow]

Here's a great CNN report for all you wingnut bigots who say gays and lesbians can't be parents......read it if you can...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/06/28/gayby/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

[mcle3002]

Who is this mysterious "all you"? With the exception of one or two trolls I don't see anyone saying that Gays and Lesbians can't be good parents.

[flamflurm]

What about Lombard up there?

[MadHeart]

(AP) Swiss police say they have uncovered a child pornography ring involving more than 2,000 people in 78 countries.

Federal Police spokeswoman Eva Zwahlen says authorities were monitoring a Web site with a provider in the Swiss canton Vaud, acting on a tip from Interpol.

She says the site was devoted to hip-hop music. But unknown individuals used a forum on the site to hide illegal child pornography films.

Zwahlen confirmed a Swiss newspaper report that the investigation involves people from the U.S., Poland, Greece and other countries.

Weekly SonntagsZeitung reported Sunday that 32 men are under suspicion in Switzerland.

[MNmommy]

The work that Interpol has been doing on this the last couple years is great.

Hunt these animals down.

[Chaimirija]

and it was the one good thing bush did, his ag's were aggressive in this arena

[DubyaGump]

and c astrate them!

[MNmommy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/8123450.stm

[DubyaGump]

Although a believer in our court system, in this case I think sharia law should prevail

[Z-Liberator]

Cant wait until somebody sells his A$$ in prison for a Snickers bar.

[Chaimirija]

My money is on: he will be snuffedOut

[RachelMc]

u know they will once they find out what he's done.

[smileatfear]

I'll provide the Snicker's bar.

[raechel]

Every time the media post a story like this, they help desensitize us to this crime, and lead some to believe that "lots of people are doing it." Worse yet, let's focus on the fact that he's a person who is successful in his job and has some authority. It is so stupid I hardly know what to say.

[MNmommy]

1 in 5 children are molested.

It's not about desensitizing - it's about assuring awareness.

[raechel]

Have you seen the data regarding media exposure and desensitization? Maybe you should take a look. I know the popular self-help movement claims "assuring awareness" is important, but that's been pretty much debunked. It's psychobabble.

[MadHeart]

A lot of people are doing it. The Swiss authorities just busted an intl child porn ring; was on the AP today.

[raechel]

Yes, indeed. And if we want to "shame" people into controlling their basest impulses, we have to make it horrible and offensive and unusual. Because most people (not all, but most) will do what they think other people are doing. And sorry, everyone, but it isn't true that "conservatives" or "republicans" are more likely to do things like this than "liberals" or "Democrats." I happen to like liberals more, but there's no indication they're less likely to abuse children.

[Anonani]

This will by necessity bring up the relevant dialog about interracial adoption, same sex (males) couples adopting, single men who adopt, homosexual men who adopt, and a host of other issues that are going to offend and even enrage a lot of innocent people. I pray that this is an isolated case but the likelihood of that is no existent.

[RationalityPlease]

This is hideous, no doubt, and 20 years is not enough. Fact remains: The vast majority of pedophiles, regardless of the gender of their victims, are heterosexual males.

[Artemis34]

Since children are statistically safest with lesbian couples, would you propose all adoptive and foster parents be lesbian?

[BlueStateMensch]

This guy will NOT last long in prison.

[Anonani]

Let me get to him.....ewww....how awful...how depraved.

[chicagoexpat]

Did he offer his son to the Lacrosse Team for one of their bashes?

[WSAY]

If this were Michael Jackson doing this everyone would be forgiving him or making excuses for him.

[ruth606]

[eyeroll]

[lessbs]

But it's not and Micheal was never accused of anything this heinous so what's your point other than a racist innuendo?

[JBS]

Actually, he was accused of something exactly this heinous. It's merely a degree of egregiousness.

The prosecution couldn't produce evidence sufficient to convict MJ.

I don't think that's gonna' be a problem in THIS case.

But I think that is why there's such a paucity of news. If the authorities are smart, they'll save the evidence for court and not attempt to try the case in the media.

[NEANDERTHALL]

They pretty much have... decades of getting away with it, and it has been 4 days of non-stop adulation and the media just glossing over it!

I am shocked at what people choose to ignore, when fame or money is concerned.

[MNmommy]

Did MJ adopt a child and offer it to the the highest bidder on the internet?

Do tell.

[youvegot2bekidding]

M olesting them wasn't bad enough?

[Dupree]

Please stick with the facts of the article. And also remember that a person is innocent UNTIL proven guilty. WE always keep forgetting this little clause within our Constitution that should be evoked at all times...and not just if it is when a legal matter is confronting us or a loved one. It appears that everyone is guilty until proven innocent these days and even if they are "acquitted" of all charges...it still is not sufficient.

As it relates to Michael Jackson...exactly what evidence do YOU have to suggests he is guilty...because you are well aware that he was acquitted of all charges ...so please tell us what do YOU personally know first hand that suggests the Judge and Jury missed it big time? And why did you not offer yourself up to give this pertinent information that could have led to his conviction? Oh, what is that you just said?.....As I suspect...­absolutely NOTHING but a hunch or an opinion of which everyone else has...the equivalent of another anatomical oracle.

Now, about the man in this article...if guilty .. it is a horrendous act beyond the definition of tragic. A parent and child relationship is the first foundational framework that builds trust and if violated to the degree of such abuse, will cause not only psychological, physical, emotional, and spiritual damage to his little soul. It is mind boggling how the ethics and characters of some people are eroding into the abyss.

[Cunningham]

"And also remember that a person is innocent UNTIL proven guilty. WE always keep forgetting this little clause within our Constitution that should be evoked at all times..."

Could you point out that clause in our Constitution?

[AuntiepoppyCock]

I think it's despicable what he did to that helpless innocent child. I also think it's pathetic that certain people are bringing their politics into this debate. Frank Lombard victimized that innocent child...who had no political leanings or crimes on his hands. Whatever Frank's political agenda or sexuality he was SICK! I wonder what kind of person he pretended to be before he was caught? There are probably more children that he has abused. Personally I don't care about his sexuality or what church he attended, but I do care about the child. I hope patient and nurturing parents save him from being further abused by other disguesting adults who should not be allowed to foster an animal. What about the biological mother what if she had known that placing her child in the hands of a sick demented parent would lead to a life time of torment would she still do it? Or would she just day no, pop a pill or abortion.

[Scalawag]

All of you who are suggesting that this is a liberal/co­nservative thing are seriously out of you f'ing pea-brains. The next thing you know someone will be blaming this on G.W. Bush or Obama.

[jsgaetano]

On the bright side, at least conservatives are learning to use the internet...

[JulieSA]

Evidence that he's conservative? Let's see it.

And it doesn't matter either way, since all groups are capable of these horrible crimes.

[jsgaetano]

Do you get paid per post, or per hour?