Israel's children at risk?
Photo: AP
US pedophile arrested in J'lem after escaping 110 year sentence
Sporting a beard and long hair as a disguise, American citizen Donald Nelson located and arrested by police detectives in a Jerusalem hostel. 59-year-old convicted on 52 counts of sexual offenses against minors. He will likely be extradited
An employee in a Jerusalem hostel turned out to be a fugitive American pedophile. Donald Nelson, 59, who was sentenced to 110 years in prison for pedophilia, was arrested Tuesday in Jerusalem by the Police's Lahav Unit. He will be brought to court to extend his remand on Wednesday and then the extradition process will commence.
A few days ago, the Interpol desk of Israel Police's operational intelligence unit received a request from US authorities to help locate the criminal. Following complex intelligence operations, Nelson was found in the Jaffa Gate Hostel in Jerusalem.
Police detectives who arrived at the hostel identified the suspect in the building with the help of pictures they received and arrested him.
Nelson, who sported a beard and long hair in order to disguise his identity, worked at the hostel. His American passport, which did not have a valid visa, was found in the hostel. His tourist visa expired in April, and Nelson has been staying illegally in Israel ever since.
Nelson, deemed a sex offender, was on the run from the US after being convicted on 52 counts of sexual molestation of minors. Where he first stayed upon entering Israel is as of yet unknown.
Nelson, who is not Jewish, did not resist the police upon his arrest and admitted that he is the man the US authorities are searching for.
