Arrest of Tom Artiom Alexandrovich in the United States
Date: 2025-08-16 AD
On August 16, 2025, Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, an Israeli cybersecurity official and senior executive at the Israel National Cyber Directorate, was arrested in Henderson, Nevada, as part of a multi-agency U.S. law enforcement operation targeting online child predators. Alexandrovich, who had previously served in the Israel Defense Forces and later oversaw national cybersecurity initiatives including the Cyber Dome project, was charged under Nevada law with attempting to lure a minor for sexual purposes through online communication.
The operation involved the Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security. Authorities stated Alexandrovich communicated with an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old, arranging a meeting for sexual activity. Following his arrest, he posted $10,000 bail and was released. He subsequently returned to Israel, leading to international attention and debate over bail procedures and cross-border legal accountability.
Alexandrovich’s arrest triggered scrutiny from multiple governments and agencies. The U.S. State Department clarified that it had no role in his release or travel. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office described the event domestically as questioning rather than an arrest, though U.S. law enforcement confirmed the detention. Court proceedings continued remotely via video conferencing, with Alexandrovich entering a not-guilty plea. The case highlighted coordination between international law enforcement and the challenges of prosecuting alleged crimes involving foreign government officials.
Key figures involved included Alexandrovich, U.S. federal and state law enforcement officials, Nevada prosecutors, and Israeli government representatives overseeing his travel and official status. Alexandrovich had professional connections to global cybersecurity organizations, including participation in the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas prior to the incident.
