Dayo Ade Olusola|M10news|19 August 2025
WASHINGTON — The US State Department on Monday clarified that the American government had no involvement in the release of an Israeli official facing charges of electronically soliciting sex from a minor.
Tom Artiom Alexandrovich was among eight individuals charged last week in connection with an undercover operation targeting child sex predators, according to a statement from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.
Nevada court records reviewed by Reuters show Alexandrovich faces a felony count of luring or attempting to lure a child or a mentally ill person into a sex act using computer technology.
Israeli media reported on Thursday that Alexandrovich, described as a senior department head in Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, was released by US authorities and had returned to Israel.
It remains unclear why Alexandrovich was in Las Vegas at the time, though the city was hosting Black Hat, a major cybersecurity conference.
A Black Hat representative said attendee information is not shared publicly.
The news of the Israeli official’s release prompted widespread speculation online, prompting the US State Department to respond.
“Alexandrovich did not claim diplomatic immunity and was released by a state judge pending a court date. Any claims that the US government intervened are false,” the State Department stated on its X social media account.
Bond Posted
Court records indicate that a $10,000 bond was posted at Henderson Detention Centre, located southeast of Las Vegas, on August 7.
Reuters could not immediately confirm Alexandrovich’s current location or contact details. His court appearance is scheduled for August 27.
Neither the Israeli Embassy in Washington nor the Prime Minister’s Office in Israel immediately respond to requests for comment.
Israeli media cited the Prime Minister’s Office as stating Alexandrovich was not formally arrested but was “questioned by American authorities during his stay” and had “returned to Israel as scheduled.”
The exact circumstances of Alexandrovich’s detention remain unclear.
The Las Vegas police statement credited several agencies for the undercover operation, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nevada Attorney General’s office, Henderson Police Department, North Las Vegas Police, and the Department of Homeland Security.
The FBI directed Reuters to a statement from the Nevada US Attorney’s office, which confirmed the District Attorney’s office in Clark County, Nevada, is prosecuting the case. Clark County covers Las Vegas and Henderson.
Requests for comment from the District Attorney’s office went unanswered.
The Nevada Attorney General’s office referred inquiries to the Henderson Police Department, which did not respond.
Similarly, the North Las Vegas Police referred questions to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, who also did not reply.
The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to emails seeking comment.
