( CNN ) -- A former Peace Corps volunteer from Connecticut is charged with sexual abuse of several preschool children in South Africa last year . Jesse Osmun , 31 , worked at an AIDS center in Greytown , South Africa , that provided education , food and other services to children between the ages of 3 and 15 , a criminal complaint says . Osmun , while volunteering at the center 's preschool facility , allegedly sexually molested at least five girls under the age of 6 , according to the complaint . The complaint also alleges he engaged in illicit sexual conduct with one of the girls , approximately 5 years old , twice a week for five months . Osmun was confronted by the AIDS center program manager in May 2011 after a preschool teacher alleged that when she observed him in a toy room of the facility with three little girls , Osmun appeared startled and zipped up his pants . The complaint states that one of the children told a school official Osmun had given her candy in exchange for oral sex . Osmun initially denied any illicit activity but `` subsequently admitted that he had touched one of the children under her clothes , '' the complaint says . It says Osmun asked to resign from the Peace Corps and returned to the United States on June 2 . An investigation was launched into the sexual allegations , and Osmun was arrested Thursday at his home in Milford , Connecticut , where , the complaint states , `` Osmun began to admit that he molested children ( at the preschool ) and provide details about the molestation . '' He appeared before a federal judge in Bridgeport and was detained . Osmun 's attorney , federal public defender Sarah Merriam , declined to comment . Osmun would face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $ 250,000 if convicted of the charge of traveling outside of the United States to engage in sexual conduct with a minor . `` Mr. Osmun is charged with a shocking breach of the power entrusted to him as a Peace Corps volunteer , '' said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Lanny Breuer . `` Allegedly , he repeatedly sexually abused five minor girls under the age of 6 -- horrific crimes . '' The Peace Corps issued a statement saying it `` was made aware of the allegations against the former volunteer after Osmun resigned from Peace Corps and departed South Africa . Once notified , the agency immediately contacted the appropriate authorities . `` The Peace Corps will continue to cooperate with American and South African law enforcement authorities , '' it said , adding that all Peace Corps volunteers undergo background checks .
Jesse Osmun , 31 , worked at a preschool facility in Greytown , South Africa . A criminal complaint alleges he molested at least five girls under the age of 6 . He could be sentenced to 30 years in prison if found guilty .