Israeli Cyber Directorate executive arrested in Las Vegas on child luring suspicion
Directorate confirms leave of absence as U.S. authorities charge multiple suspects.
A senior member of Israel’s National Cyber Directorate was arrested in the United States on suspicion of “luring a child with a computer for a sex act.” He was released from custody and returned to Israel shortly afterward, but by joint decision has taken leave from his position “until the matter is clarified.”
On Friday night, Las Vegas police announced the arrest of eight suspects who “all face felony charges of Luring a Child with Computer for Sex Act and were booked into the Henderson Detention Center,” as part of a two-week operation conducted in cooperation with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies.
Among those arrested was the head of a department in Israel’s Cyber Directorate, who was in the U.S. on a work trip. Shortly after his detention, he was released and returned to Israel. It remains unclear on what basis he was released, whether he remains a suspect, if charges will be filed against him in the U.S., and whether Israeli police are involved in the matter or intend to question him.
The Cyber Directorate said: “The employee informed the Directorate that during his trip to the U.S. he was questioned by American authorities on issues unrelated to his work. He returned to Israel on his scheduled date. The Directorate has not yet received further information through official channels. If such information is received, the Directorate will act accordingly. At this stage, by joint decision, the employee has taken leave until the matter is clarified.”
The Israel Police said: “As a general rule, any complaint or information raising suspicion of a criminal offense is examined by the police. Where there is a reasonable basis for suspicion, and depending on the circumstances, an investigation is opened. We do not provide details regarding the existence or non-existence of investigations, and this does not confirm or deny their existence.”
