Israeli Cyber Chief released and flown to Israel after arrested in US multi-agency pedophile sting
Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, Executive Director of Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, was arrested on August 6, 2025, in Las Vegas during a multi-agency sting targeting online child predators. Charged with felony luring a child with a computer for a sex act, he allegedly believed he was meeting a 15-year-old for sexual contact, intending to bring a condom and attend a Cirque du Soleil show.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported eight arrests, including a local pastor, in the Nevada Internet Crime Taskforce operation. Alexandrovich, attending Black Hat and DEF CON conferences, represented Israel without claiming diplomatic immunity.
Facing a Category B felony punishable by 1-10 years, Alexandrovich posted a $10,000 bond without conditions like passport surrender. He fled to Israel, where extradition is unlikely due to its policy against returning citizens. Israeli officials downplayed the incident, stating it had “no political implications.” Israel initially denied the arrest but later confirmed it, placing him on leave upon his return. His LinkedIn profile, identifying him as a senior official under Netanyahu’s office, was deleted post-arrest.
Sigal Chattah, the Israeli-born Trump appointed U.S. Attorney for Nevada, deferred the case to Clark County prosecutors, limiting federal oversight. This decision raised concerns about impartiality in handling a flight risk. “The US government is denying that it helped a senior Israeli official leave the country after his arrest on a serious child sex crime charge,” wrote Ali Abunimah.
Historical cases, including Rabbi Baruch Lanner, Yona Weinberg, and Mordechai Yomtov, highlight U.S. leniency toward Israeli nationals accused of child sex crimes who fled to Israel, often with community support.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene posted, “The most concerning question is when and how did America become so subservient to Israel that we immediately release a CHILD SEX PREDATOR.”