‘Pedophile’ nabbed in Davao City

DAVAO CITY — Authorities arrested here a 57-year-old American widower last Sunday for allegedly engaging in sexual activities with numerous minors and having them photographed and videotaped for commercial purposes.

Police nabbed Richard Butnes inside his room at the Apo View Hotel where at least 77 pictures of nude young women and several pornographic videotapes were confiscated from him.

Also seized from Butnes were two Polaroid cameras, a video camera and other pornographic materials.

A certain Sherryl de Guzman, 26, and three minors were reportedly in Butnes’ room during the raid.

The American allegedly sells pornographic photographs and videotapes to customers in the United States.

He allegedly recruited, with De Guzman’s help, minors as young as 13 from various sex dens in the city, and paid them at least P1,000 for each session. — Edith Regalado