Philanthropist returned to Phila. to face sex charges

Arts philanthropist Kenneth Schneider arrived in Philadelphia Friday after being extradited from Cyprus to face federal sex tourism charges, the Justice Department said.

Founder and president of the Apogee Foundation, Schneider is accused of traveling in 1998 to Moscow, where he engaged in sex with a 12-year-old boy. Schneider, an international lawyer whose website said he represented Russian oil entrepreneurs, allegedly continued the relationship for eight years. During that time, he brought the boy, a ballet student, to Philadelphia to study at the Rock School.

Schneider, 45, of Berwyn, faces charges of traveling for the purpose of engaging in sex with a minor and transporting a person for criminal sexual conduct. - Sam Wood