MAP Forum

MIAMI – A British national was convicted following a bench trial for traveling to the U.S. to sexually abuse a child he had previously victimized overseas.

“Crimes against children are the most vile offenses imaginable,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “This defendant crossed international borders to continue abusing a child he had already victimized overseas. After years of legal challenges, he was extradited to the United States to face justice. Let this be clear: distance, time, and geography will not shield child predators. The Southern District of Florida will relentlessly pursue those who exploit children, no matter where they hide and no matter how long it takes.”

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Justin Matthew Ward, 59, befriended a family living in Germany while the parents were employed by the U.S. Department of State. While in Germany, Ward sexually assaulted one of the family’s children, who was under the age of 12.