MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — A Michigan man, accused of abusing children at a group home in Haiti, is standing trial in Miami federal court.

Matthew Andrew Carter of Brighton, Mich., has been in custody since his 2011 arrest at Miami International Airport. He faces six charges, including five counts of traveling from Florida to Haiti for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with minors.

Carter ran the Morning Star Center in Haiti’s capital from 1995 through 2011. The Haitian government closed it after Carter’s arrest.

In opening statements Tuesday, federal prosecutor Maria Medetis said Carter forced children in his care to satisfy his sexual demands in exchange for food, education and security.

Carter’s attorney said children at the center lived there with their parents’ permission and were always free to leave.

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