Latest news with #TomArtiomAlexandrovich
New York Post
12 minutes ago
- Politics
- New York Post
US says it played no part in release of Israeli official accused soliciting sex from minor
WASHINGTON — The US State Department said on Monday that the American government played no role in the release of an Israeli official charged with soliciting sex electronically from a minor. Tom Artiom Alexandrovich was one of eight people charged last week following an undercover operation 'targeting child sex predators,' the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said in a statement issued last week. Alexandrovich faces a felony charge of luring or attempting to lure a child or mentally ill person to commit a sex act 'with use of computer technology,' according to Nevada State court records reviewed by Reuters. 4 Tom Artiom Alexandrovich was one of eight people charged last week following an undercover operation 'targeting child sex predators,' the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said in a statement issued last week. Cybertech Global Tel Aviv Israeli media said on Thursday Alexandrovich, who they described as a senior department head in Israel's National Cyber Directorate, was released by US authorities and is back in Israel. Reuters could not establish why Alexandrovich was in the Las Vegas area, but at the time the city was hosting Black Hat, one of the cybersecurity industry's most prominent conferences. A representative for Black Hat said the conference did not share data on attendees. The report that an Israeli official accused of a felony sex crime was allowed to return home drew a storm of speculation online. Alexandrovich 'did not claim diplomatic immunity and was released by a state judge pending a court date. Any claims that the US government intervened are false,' the State Department said Monday on the social media site X. 4 The US State Department said on Monday that the American government played no role in the release of an Israeli official charged with soliciting sex electronically from a minor. X / @StateDept_NEA Bond paid The court records reviewed by Reuters show a $10,000 bond was posted in Alexandrovich's case at the Henderson Detention Center, southeast of Las Vegas, on August 7. Reuters could not immediately confirm Alexandrovich's whereabouts and could not immediately locate contact information for him. The records indicate he is due back in court on August 27. 4 Israeli media quoted the Prime Minister's Office as denying that Alexandrovich was arrested, saying only that a 'state employee' was 'questioned by American authorities during his stay.' POOL/AFP via Getty Images The Israeli Embassy in Washington and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not immediately return messages. Israeli media quoted the Prime Minister's Office as denying that Alexandrovich was arrested, saying only that a 'state employee' was 'questioned by American authorities during his stay' and he had 'returned to Israel as scheduled.' Reuters could not immediately ascertain the circumstances around Alexandrovich's arrest. The Las Vegas police statement credited the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nevada Attorney General's office, the Henderson Police Department, the North Las Vegas Police, and the Department of Homeland Security with helping to pull off the undercover operation. The FBI referred Reuters to a statement from the Nevada US Attorney's office, which in turn said the case was being prosecuted by the District Attorney's office in Clark County, Nevada, which includes Las Vegas and Henderson. 4 Alexandrovich faces a felony charge of luring or attempting to lure a child or mentally ill person to commit a sex act 'with use of computer technology,' according to Nevada State court records. TNS via Getty Images The District Attorney's office did not immediately reply to an email requesting a comment. The Nevada Attorney General's office referred questions to the Henderson Police Department, which did not return messages seeking comment. The North Las Vegas Police referred questions to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, who did not return messages. The Department of Homeland Security did not reply to emails seeking comment.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
US denies role in release of Israeli official accused in Nevada sex crime
WASHINGTON: The U.S. State Department said on Monday the American government played no role in the release of an Israeli official charged with soliciting sex electronically from a minor. Tom Artiom Alexandrovich was one of eight people charged last week following an undercover operation 'targeting child sex predators,' the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said in a statement issued last week. Alexandrovich faces a felony charge of luring or attempting to lure a child or mentally ill person to commit a sex act 'with use of computer technology,' according to Nevada State court records reviewed by Reuters. Israeli media said on Thursday Alexandrovich, who they described as a senior department head in Israel's National Cyber Directorate, was released by U.S. authorities and is back in Israel. Reuters could not establish why Alexandrovich was in the Las Vegas area, but at the time the city was hosting Black Hat, one of the cybersecurity industry's most prominent conferences. A representative for Black Hat said the conference did not share data on attendees. The report that an Israeli official accused of a felony sex crime was allowed to return home drew a storm of speculation online. Alexandrovich 'did not claim diplomatic immunity and was released by a state judge pending a court date. Any claims that the U.S. government intervened are false,' the State Department said Monday on the social media site X. BOND PAID The court records reviewed by Reuters show a $10,000 bond was posted in Alexandrovich's case at the Henderson Detention Center, southeast of Las Vegas, on August 7. Reuters could not immediately confirm Alexandrovich's whereabouts and could not immediately locate contact information for him. The records indicate he is due back in court on August 27. The Israeli Embassy in Washington and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not immediately return messages. Israeli media quoted the Prime Minister's Office as denying that Alexandrovich was arrested, saying only that a 'state employee' was 'questioned by American authorities during his stay' and he had 'returned to Israel as scheduled.' Reuters could not immediately ascertain the circumstances around Alexandrovich's arrest. The Las Vegas police statement credited the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nevada Attorney General's office, the Henderson Police Department, the North Las Vegas Police, and the Department of Homeland Security with helping to pull off the undercover operation. The FBI referred Reuters to a statement from the Nevada U.S. Attorney's office, which in turn said the case was being prosecuted by the District Attorney's office in Clark County, Nevada, which includes Las Vegas and Henderson. The District Attorney's office did not immediately reply to an email requesting a comment. The Nevada Attorney General's office referred questions to the Henderson Police Department, which did not return messages seeking comment. The North Las Vegas Police referred questions to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, who did not return messages. The Department of Homeland Security did not reply to emails seeking comment. - Reuters
Straits Times
16 hours ago
- Straits Times
US denies intervening in case of Israeli official accused of Nevada sex crime
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department said Monday the American government played no role in the release of an Israeli official charged with soliciting sex electronically from a minor. Tom Artiom Alexandrovich was one of eight people charged last week following an undercover operation "targeting child sex predators," the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said in a statement issued last week. Alexandrovich faces a felony charge of luring or attempting to lure a child or mentally ill person to commit a sex act "with use of computer technology," according to Nevada State records reviewed by Reuters. Israeli media said Alexandrovich, who they described as a senior department head in Israel's National Cyber Directorate, was released by U.S. authorities and is back in Israel. Reuters could not establish why Alexandrovich was in the Las Vegas area, but at the time Las Vegas was hosting Black Hat, one of the cybersecurity industry's most prominent conferences. The report that an Israeli official accused of a felony sex crime was allowed to return home drew a storm of speculation online. Alexandrovich "did not claim diplomatic immunity and was released by a state judge pending a court date. Any claims that the U.S. government intervened are false," the State Department said Monday on the social media site X. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 'I vaped when I woke up until I slept': More youth vaping to cope with stress, say social workers Singapore 'I'd have phone in one hand, vape in the other': Youth addicted to vapes gets help to quit habit World Trump tells Zelensky US would help with Ukraine's security in a peace deal Singapore Jobs, infrastructure and homes at the core of Singapore's resilience: Economists World Hamas accepts proposed deal for ceasefire with Israel and hostage release, Egyptian source says Singapore New online tools by SkillsFuture Singapore help companies plan and curate staff training Life Chinese EV brand Nio to be launched in Singapore in first quarter of 2026 The court records show a $10,000 bond was posted at the Henderson Detention Center, southeast of Las Vegas, on August 7. Reuters could not immediately confirm his whereabouts and could not immediately locate contact information for Alexandrovich. The records indicate he is due back in court on August 27. The Israeli Embassy in Washington and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not immediately return messages. Israeli media quoted the office as denying that Alexandrovich was arrested, saying only that a "state employee" was "questioned by American authorities during his stay" and he had "returned to Israel as scheduled." Reuters could not immediately ascertain the circumstances around Alexandrovich's arrest. The Las Vegas police statement credited the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Henderson Police Department, the North Las Vegas Police, and the Department of Homeland Security with organizing the undercover operation. None of those agencies immediately replied to messages seeking comment on Alexandrovich arrest or release. The Nevada District Attorney's office referred questions back to the Henderson Police Department. REUTERS
Reuters
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
US denies intervening in case of Israeli official accused of Nevada sex crime
WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said Monday the American government played no role in the release of an Israeli official charged with soliciting sex electronically from a minor. Tom Artiom Alexandrovich was one of eight people charged last week following an undercover operation "targeting child sex predators," the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said in a statement issued last week, opens new tab. Alexandrovich faces a felony charge of luring or attempting to lure a child or mentally ill person to commit a sex act "with use of computer technology," according to Nevada State records reviewed by Reuters. Israeli media said Alexandrovich, who they described as a senior department head in Israel's National Cyber Directorate, was released by U.S. authorities and is back in Israel. Reuters could not establish why Alexandrovich was in the Las Vegas area, but at the time Las Vegas was hosting Black Hat, one of the cybersecurity industry's most prominent conferences. The report that an Israeli official accused of a felony sex crime was allowed to return home drew a storm of speculation online. Alexandrovich "did not claim diplomatic immunity and was released by a state judge pending a court date. Any claims that the U.S. government intervened are false," the State Department said Monday on the social media site X, opens new tab. The court records show a $10,000 bond was posted at the Henderson Detention Center, southeast of Las Vegas, on August 7. Reuters could not immediately confirm his whereabouts and could not immediately locate contact information for Alexandrovich. The records indicate he is due back in court on August 27. The Israeli Embassy in Washington and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not immediately return messages. Israeli media quoted the office as denying that Alexandrovich was arrested, saying only that a "state employee" was "questioned by American authorities during his stay" and he had "returned to Israel as scheduled." Reuters could not immediately ascertain the circumstances around Alexandrovich's arrest. The Las Vegas police statement credited the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Henderson Police Department, the North Las Vegas Police, and the Department of Homeland Security with organizing the undercover operation. None of those agencies immediately replied to messages seeking comment on Alexandrovich arrest or release. The Nevada District Attorney's office referred questions back to the Henderson Police Department.
Gizmodo
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Gizmodo
Israeli Cyber Official Arrested During Undercover Internet Crimes Against Children Sting
A high-ranking member of Israel's cybersecurity directorate was recently arrested in Las Vegas as part of an undercover sting operation involving internet crimes against children, according to the State Department. A joint operation between city police and the FBI that targeted child sex predators resulted in the arrest of Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, a man who, according to many news outlets, has been identified as a member of Israel's National Cyber Directorate, which operates out of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Mediate previously reported that Alexandrovich's since-deleted LinkedIn profile had also identified him as an official with the agency. The Jerusalem Post claims that Alexandrovich worked 'in a technical role at the Cyber Directorate,' and KLAS-TV, a CBS news affiliate, also claims to have confirmed that an 'Israeli government official was one of eight people arrested' during the weekend sting, and that Alexandrovich was in the city for 'a cyber event.' Blackhat, the well-known cybersecurity conference, recently took place in Vegas. Additionally, the U.S. government appears to have confirmed much of this information. The X account for the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs posted about the arrest, in an apparent effort to dispel internet rumors that the government had intervened on Alexandrovich's behalf. 'The Department of State is aware that Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, an Israeli citizen, was arrested in Las Vegas and given a court date for charges related to soliciting sex electronically from a minor,' the post states. 'He did not claim diplomatic immunity and was released by a state judge pending a court date. Any claims that the U.S. government intervened are false.' When reached for comment by Gizmodo, the State Department simply referred us to its tweet. Alexandrovich faces a charge of luring a child with a computer for sex acts, KLAS writes. He was allowed to leave after having posted a $10,000 bail, the outlet adds, citing court records. An archived Haaretz report states that a 'senior official in Israel's National Cyber Directorate' had been questioned in Vegas for alleged online solicitation of a minor, but does not identify the official by name. However, the report also includes a statement from Israel's cyber directorate, which admits that one of its employees was questioned by authorities during a trip to the U.S. The statement reads: 'The employee updated the directorate that during his trip to the United States, he was questioned by U.S. authorities on matters unrelated to his work, and he returned to Israel on his scheduled date. The directorate has not yet received additional details through official channels. If and when such details are received, the directorate will act accordingly.' Gizmodo reached out to the Las Vegas Police Department and the Israeli government for more information.
