A former Lynn resident and teacher was handed a 12-year prison sentence in a federal court in Boston yesterday for sexually exploiting minors while teaching English in Laos. Michael Sebastian, 56, had pleaded guilty in December 2023 to three counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Sebastian was found to have abused his position as an educator by inviting economically disadvantaged students to live with him and then subsequently coercing them into performing sexual acts. While offering the promise of housing, he manipulated these children into inappropriate conduct under the guise of "chores" that could be used for rent credit.

In a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy remarked, "Mr. Sebastian took advantage of young, vulnerable children in his care and forced them to perform sexual acts for his gratification. Instead of providing a safe home for learning as he had promised, these children were manipulated by the defendant to take part in disturbing behaviors." Levy emphasized the commitment of law enforcement partners to aggressively prosecute individuals who exploit children.

Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, stated in a quote that Sebastian exploited three Laotian boys, who turned to him for shelter and education, for his own gratification. These actions were committed by Sebastian who thought he was beyond the reach of law halfway around the world, and today's sentence disproves that wrongful belief.

The sentencing is a tangible result of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The coordinated efforts of this initiative, which are showcased in this case, aim at bringing offenders to justice and rescuing victims. More information can be found on the DOJ website for those who wish to learn about the resources and work of Project Safe Childhood.