Israel
Israeli official reportedly arrested in Las Vegas child sex sting
The man in question reportedly returned to Israel shortly after his alleged arrest
August 17, 2025 11:44
The man in question reportedly returned to Israel shortly after his alleged arrest
August 17, 2025 11:44A top Israeli official was allegedly among a number of suspects arrested in Las Vegas in recent weeks during a sting operation targeting child sex offenders.
Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, 38, was among eight people arrested in the past two weeks and charged with a felony for allegedly "luring a child with computer for sex act," the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced on Friday.
Alexandrovich was booked at the Henderson Detention Center in Henderson, Nevada, according to the department.
A spokesperson for the department said: “A multi-agency operation targeting child sex predators led to the arrest of eight individuals over the last two weeks.
"We would like to remind parents to discuss with their children the dangers of engaging with strangers online. Parents are encouraged to routinely monitor their children’s activity on social media and other online applications to prevent them from becoming victims of a child sex predator.
"This operation was conducted as part of the ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime and protect children in our community.
US and Israeli media subsequently reported that Alexandrovich was a top cybersecurity official for the Israeli government at the time. A LinkedIn page bearing his name, which has since been deleted, identified him as "executive director of the Israel Cyber Directorate," an Israeli government entity, Mediaite reported.
The publication added that Alexandrovich was in Las Vegas recently to attend the Black Hat Briefings, an "annual gathering of cybersecurity professionals," and posted a since-deleted photo of himself at the event in the Las Vegas area.
Israeli media reported that an official of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, whom they did not name, had been questioned by police and returned to Israel two days later.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that "a state employee who traveled to the US for professional matters was questioned by American authorities during his stay," and that the staffer, "who does not hold a diplomatic visa, was not arrested and returned to Israel as scheduled".
The website of Clark County, Nevada, which includes Las Vegas, lists “Tom Alexandrovich” as due in court on August 27 in connection with an alleged offence on August 6.
That person posted $10,000 bond (and a $50 filing fee) at Henderson Detention Center on August 7, per the county records.
Israeli media reported that the Israel National Cyber Directorate said on Saturday that the employee who was detained abroad is now on leave "by mutual decision".
Las Vegas police added: “Anyone who may have been a victim of any of these subjects or has information about their crimes is urged to contact the LVMPD Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force by phone at 702-828-3111. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555.”
Anyone with information can also contact Crime Stoppers online at www.crimestoppersofnv.com.
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