The trial of a New Jersey man who allegedly traveled overseas to molest boys under age 16, began July 16 at the U.S. Courthouse in Center City.

Anthony M. Bianchi is being charged under a 2003 federal law, dubbed the “Sex Tourism Law,” which makes it a crime for an American to travel to another country with the intent of having sex with minors.

Authorities say Bianchi, acting in conjunction with a Romanian translator, Ion Gusin, molested five Moldovan boys, and tried to molest three others.

Gusin, who allegedly acted as Bianchi’s pimp, was convicted last year by a Moldovan court and is serving a 20-year sentence there, said Rich Manieri, a spokesperson for Philadelphia’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Bianchi allegedly took the boys to pool halls, swimming pools, bowling alleys, taprooms and/or other countries before luring them into sex. He would buy them gifts or treats before trying to seduce them, according to court testimony.

Bianchi allegedly made preparations in Philadelphia for his trips overseas.

“The arrangements to travel abroad were made through Philadelphia, so that’s why he’s being charged in this jurisdiction,” Manieri told PGN.

He said Bianchi’s alleged crimes occurred between 2003 and 2005. “All eight victims are expected to testify,” Manieri said.

Under advisory sentencing guidelines, Bianchi faces up to 20 years in federal prison, Manieri added.

U.S. District Judge Bruce W. Kauffman is presiding over the trial.

U.S. customs officials first became suspicious of Bianchi when he returned to Philadelphia International Airport from a 2005 visit to Moldova.

In his luggage, agents found a children’s game and an affectionate note written in language a child could understand.

Charges against Bianchi include traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and conspiracy to engage in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, Manieri said.

Bianchi, 45, owns a North Wildwood hotel with his parents. Prior to his trial, he was referred to as a millionaire in court papers. He’s been incarcerated at the U.S. Detention Center in Center City since January 2006, Manieri said.

At press time, Bianchi hadn’t testified on his own behalf.

One of Bianchi’s attorneys is Mark Geragos, a familiar figure on cable television. Geragos garnered national attention when defending Scott Petersen, a Modesto, Calif., man who was convicted in November 2004 of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci Petersen.

In pre-trial filings, prosecutors noted that Bianchi was arrested in Moscow in 2000 and charged with having sex in a hotel room with two young boys.

Bianchi was sentenced to three years in a Russian prison, but was granted general amnesty and expelled from Russia in July 2000, according to court filings.