An Israeli cybersecurity official arrested in a Las Vegas sting operation targeting child predators was allowed to post bail and return home, sparking outrage from a prominent Republican lawmaker.
According to a Daily Mail Online report, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly criticized the State Department for permitting the official, Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, to leave the United States despite facing serious felony charges. Greene demanded that the Trump administration pursue his extradition and full prosecution, tying the incident to broader concerns about U.S. relations with Israel.
The 38-year-old Alexandrovich, a senior department head in Israel's National Cyber Directorate, was one of eight individuals charged last week in an undercover effort led by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police. Authorities said he used a dating app called Pure to communicate with a decoy posing as a 15-year-old girl, during which he suggested attending a Cirque du Soleil show and referenced bringing a condom.
Greene expressed her frustration in a detailed post on X, questioning how America became so deferential to Israel that it would release someone she described as a child sex predator with strong evidence against him. She urged the administration to prosecute Alexandrovich fully and contrasted the case with the need to allow Gaza children access to life-saving medical treatment in the U.S.
In her statement, Greene highlighted what she saw as inconsistencies in U.S. policy, noting that Alexandrovich works directly for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She added a moral dimension by stating that God does not discriminate in love for children and questioned why the U.S. would.
The State Department firmly denied any federal intervention in the matter, asserting on X that Alexandrovich did not claim diplomatic immunity and was released by a state judge pending his court date. However, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson clarified that no judge was involved, as Alexandrovich simply posted bail and waived his initial appearance under standard Nevada law.
Alexandrovich was in Las Vegas attending the Black Hat cybersecurity conference when he was arrested, according to local reports. Police records show he posted a $10,000 bond at the Henderson Detention Center on August 7 and is scheduled to appear in court on August 27.
The operation involved multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Henderson Police Department, North Las Vegas Police, and Department of Homeland Security, all focused on protecting vulnerable community members from online predators. The Nevada District Attorney's office confirmed that the Clark County District Attorney's Office will handle the prosecution at the county level.
Alexandrovich faces a felony charge of attempting to lure a child using computer technology to commit a sex act, based on his online interactions with the underage decoy. The app Pure, which he allegedly used, promotes itself as a platform for rule-breaking and playful dating encounters.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office denied that Alexandrovich was arrested, instead claiming a state employee was merely questioned by U.S. authorities during his stay and returned to Israel as planned. Neither the Israeli Embassy in Washington nor the Prime Minister's Office responded immediately to requests for further comment.
Interim U.S. Attorney for Nevada Sigal Chattah criticized local authorities, stating that Alexandrovich's passport should have been seized to prevent his departure. She insisted he must be returned immediately to face justice in the U.S.
Wolfson defended the handling of the case, explaining that there was no court or prosecution involvement in the bail process, which follows normal practices in Nevada and many other communities. He emphasized that this procedure is standard for such charges without any special treatment indicated.
Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, a 38-year-old senior official in Israel's National Cyber Directorate, was arrested in Las Vegas last week on charges of attempting to lure a minor for sex via an online app during a multi-agency sting operation. The incident occurred while he was attending a major cybersecurity conference, and his quick release on bail allowed him to fly back to Israel, prompting questions about U.S. foreign policy influences.
Authorities explained that his departure followed standard Nevada bail procedures without federal intervention, though critics like Greene argue it reflects subservience to Israel amid ongoing Gaza tensions. Greene's call for extradition stems from her view that the case involves a clear-cut predator who should not evade justice, while also advocating for humanitarian aid to Gaza children.
Alexandrovich is due in court on August 27, where prosecutors will pursue the felony charge at the county level, potentially leading to extradition efforts if he fails to appear. This situation highlights broader debates on international cooperation in criminal matters, with possible involvement from higher U.S. officials to ensure his return for trial.
