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8h ago

Israeli Cyber Official Charged in Nevada Sting Returns to Israel as U.S. Denies Intervention

U.S. officials deny any role in his release, stressing he was freed by a state judge pending an August 27 court date.

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© Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
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Overview

  • Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, a division head at Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, was arrested in a Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children operation and charged with luring a child with a computer.
  • Police documents cited by local media say he believed he was meeting a 15-year-old decoy, discussed bringing a condom, and planned a Cirque du Soleil outing, with chats allegedly conducted via the Pure app.
  • A $10,000 bond was posted on August 7 and court records show he was released by a state judge; Israeli outlets report he has returned to Israel and is on leave from his post.
  • The State Department says he did not claim diplomatic immunity and rejects claims of federal intervention; Clark County prosecutors are handling the case after a multi-agency sting that included the FBI and DHS.
  • Israel’s prime minister’s office initially denied an arrest, a government listing identifies Alexandrovich as a technological defense division head, and political criticism has grown as the August 27 hearing approaches.