Israeli Official Faces Nevada Child Sex Crime Charge

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The U.S. State Department has denied claims that the American government intervened in the release of an Israeli official accused of attempting to solicit sex from a minor in Nevada.

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, identified in Israeli media as a senior official in Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, was among eight individuals charged last week in an undercover Las Vegas police operation targeting suspected child sex predators.

According to Nevada state court filings reviewed by Reuters, Alexandrovich faces a felony charge of using computer technology to lure, or attempt to lure, a child or mentally ill person for sexual activity. Authorities confirmed he was arrested during the police sting and subsequently released by a judge pending further proceedings.

On August 14, Israeli media outlets reported that Alexandrovich had returned to Israel following his release in the United States. The circumstances of his travel and stay in Nevada remain unclear. Las Vegas was hosting Black Hat, one of the world’s largest cyber-security conferences, during that period. A spokesperson for the conference told reporters that registration information for attendees is not publicly available, leaving Alexandrovich’s connection to the event uncertain.

The case quickly gained attention online after reports circulated that a foreign government official accused of a sex crime had been permitted to leave the country. In response, the U.S. State Department issued a direct statement on August 18.

“Any claims that the U.S. government intervened are false,” the department wrote on X. It added that Alexandrovich “did not claim diplomatic immunity and was released by a state judge pending a court date.”

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that Alexandrovich’s arrest was part of a wider undercover operation. The investigation, which has resulted in several arrests, is described by authorities as part of an ongoing effort to target online predators who seek to exploit minors.

The Nevada judiciary has not yet scheduled a trial date for Alexandrovich. His legal status remains under the jurisdiction of state courts, which will determine the next steps in accordance with U.S. law.

The case has drawn heightened attention because of Alexandrovich’s senior role in Israel’s National Cyber Directorate. Neither Israeli authorities nor U.S. officials have provided additional comments on the matter.