After nearly twenty years on the run, a wanted alleged paedophile has been apprehended in France, thousands of miles away from his home. Michael Wiseman, facing multiple charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, was arrested by authorities in Scottsdale, Arizona, after being on the run since 2008.
Wiseman, who had escaped court-ordered monitoring in the US by removing his ankle monitor, was tracked down in France with the assistance of the FBI. He had evaded capture by traveling through Vietnam, Poland, and eventually settling in Kilstett under the alias Robert Danilewski.
Several nationwide extradition warrants were issued for Wiseman, including charges related to probation violation, escape in the first degree, and failure to register as a sex offender. Despite being previously apprehended in Spain in 2009 and extradited to the US for sentencing in 2012, Wiseman once again fled the country while on probation.
Following extensive efforts by the Scottsdale Police Department and collaboration with international authorities, Wiseman was located in Kilstett. Recent investigations revealed incriminating evidence of child sexual abuse material on Wiseman’s personal accounts, leading to his arrest by French authorities on charges of rape and sexual assault of a minor under 15 years old.
French authorities are currently holding Wiseman pending his extradition to the US. The Scottsdale Police Department expressed gratitude for the FBI’s support, emphasizing the dedication to ensuring justice and protecting children. Chief Joe LeDuc highlighted the relentless work of detectives in pursuing accountability for Wiseman, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and commitment in safeguarding vulnerable individuals.