Old man posing as religious leader arrested for assaulting teen in Phuket

Officials apprehended a 60 year old man, Ismael Todting, who posed as a religious leader to deceive and assault a 16 year old girl in a Phuket hotel. He planned and lured the victim by gaining her trust before forcing himself on her and fleeing. Authorities tracked him down to Yala province, where he was participating in a group activity, eventually arresting him and handing him over for further legal proceedings.

Ismael Todting was detained following his arrest in the Yala province by a team led by Pol. Capt. Kriangsak Boonthong, Deputy Chief of Region 6 Police Division, and Pol. Lt. Col. Mongtri Thetkhan, Commanding Officer of the same division. The arrest was made based on a warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court on January 12. Ismael has been charged with “sexual assault using brutal force and committing an indecent act” on a person…