DOJ ‘studying possible courses of action’ vs US diplomat over sex with Filipino minor

FILE PHOTO: DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is now studying possible courses of action against an American diplomat who has been charged in the United States for having sex with a Filipino minor while stationed in the Philippines.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra in a statement referred to the case of 61-year-old Dean Cheves, who was recently indicted by a federal grand jury at the Eastern District of Virginia in the United States for having sex with a Filipino minor and possessing child pornography during his stint here.

Cheves served at the US Embassy in Manila from September 2020 to February 2021.

“The DOJ is studying possible courses of action against a former US embassy staff stationed in Manila who was recently indicted in the US for illicit sexual conduct with a 16-year old Filipina and possession of child pornographic materials during his assignment in the Philippines,” the DOJ chief said Saturday.

The indictment of Cheves stated that during his time in the Philippines, he met the 16-year-old girl online and engaged in sexual activity on two occasions despite being aware of the minor’s age.

The diplomat also allegedly took cellphone videos of himself on both occasions.

READ: US diplomat charged for sex with Filipina minor

If convicted in the United States, Cheves may face imprisonment of up to 30 years for “engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place” and up to 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography.

KGA