A British citizen has been convicted in Miami federal court for traveling to the United States to sexually abuse a minor he had previously victimized overseas.
According to court documents, Justin Matthew Ward, 59, befriended a family living in Germany while the parents worked for the U.S. Department of State. While in Germany, Ward sexually assaulted one of their children who was under 12 years old. After the family moved to South Florida, Ward traveled to the United States in February 2004 and continued to abuse the same child.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida stated: “Crimes against children are the most vile offenses imaginable. 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.”
In December 2012, Ward was arrested in the United Kingdom on unrelated charges involving child molestation and production of child sexual abuse material. He was convicted there and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Once his sentence ended, Ward was taken into custody as part of a U.S. extradition request and brought to South Florida on July 14, 2025 after lengthy legal proceedings.
U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez found Ward guilty of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. He faces up to 30 years in federal prison with sentencing scheduled for April 7.
The FBI’s Miami Field Office led the investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Koontz prosecuting.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local efforts.
Further information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at Justice.gov/PSC.
Court documents are available through the Southern District of Florida’s website (www.flsd.uscourts.gov) or via http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 18-cr-60353.
