The arrests highlight what child advocates say is a growing problem in the dirt-poor countries of Central America. Although abuse of minors is common in the Third World, Americans are increasingly becoming involved in child prostitution rackets. In fact, Central America is fast emerging as a new child-sex hot spot. Southeast Asia mainly. However, a crackdown in places such as Thailand and the Philippines has brought the market closer to home.
Experts say it's hard to estimate the scale of the problem.
Mostly, crimes go undetected. But child advocates say a recent series of alarming incidents is serving as a wake-up call to governments in the region. Even before the raid on Tony Montana's, the child sex issue had made headlines in Honduras. He was charged under a 1996 U.S. statute outlawing foreign travel for the purpose of engaging in sex with a minor. In March, the Florida Atlantic University professor was found guilty.