After nearly twenty years evading authorities, a wanted alleged paedophile has been apprehended in France, far from his home in the United States. The Scottsdale Police Department in Arizona announced the arrest of Michael Wiseman, who faced multiple charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. Wiseman, once ranked as the department’s second most wanted fugitive, had eluded capture since 2008 when the case against him began.

Following a court-ordered monitoring, Wiseman absconded from the US by removing his ankle monitor, eventually leading to his arrest in France with the assistance of the FBI. Reports from Scottsdale PD detailed Wiseman’s escape route through Vietnam to Poland and finally settling in Kilstett under the alias Robert Danilewski.

Numerous extradition warrants were issued for Wiseman, including probation violation related to sexual exploitation of a minor, escape in the first degree, and failure to register as a sex offender. In a previous incident in 2009, Wiseman was detained in Spain by the FBI’s Phoenix office under an Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution warrant. Despite being extradited to the US and sentenced in 2012, he managed to flee the country during his probation.

Through collaboration with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Scottsdale’s Criminal Intelligence Unit facilitated a Provisional Arrest Warrant submission to the Department of Justice Office of International Affairs, leading to Wiseman’s eventual capture in Kilstett. Recent investigations revealed disturbing content on Wiseman’s personal accounts, prompting further charges from French authorities for the sexual abuse of a minor under 15 years old.

French authorities have charged Wiseman with “rape and sexual assault of a minor under 15 years of age,” and he is currently in custody pending extradition to the US. The Scottsdale Police Department expressed gratitude towards the FBI for their ongoing support, emphasizing the years of dedication and teamwork that led to Wiseman’s arrest. Chief Joe LeDuc highlighted the department’s commitment to seeking justice and protecting children from harm.