Israelis arrest suspected U.S. sex offender wanted by FBI

A United States citizen who is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for sex crimes was arrested in Eilat on Sunday by the Immigration Police.

The 47-year-old man, whose name was withheld by the police at the FBI's request, is suspected of serious sex crimes against several relatives, including his granddaughter.

In 1997, the man fled his home in Los Angeles, arriving in Israel shortly thereafter. In 1999, he applied for Israeli citizenship, claiming he was Jewish and therefore entitled to citizenship automatically. The Interior Ministry rejected his application, but the man nevertheless remained in Israel, moving periodically from town to town.

Three months ago, the FBI asked the Israel Police to help it locate the man. Based on intelligence tips, the police eventually discovered that he had moved to Eilat nine months ago. On Sunday, thanks to yet another tip, they arrested him in the street. The man had no residence in Eilat and was supporting himself by doing odd jobs.

According to the police, the man is not known to have committed any sexual offenses in Israel. He will therefore simply be deported to the U.S., Haaretz reports.