The South African Police Service has successfully apprehended a 56-year-old American citizen residing in Kabega Park, Gqeberha, following an international manhunt. The suspect was taken into custody on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, acting on a formal extradition request from the United States government regarding severe criminal allegations.
Allegations and investigations
The charges stem from a 2017 report filed with the San Antonio Police Department by the mother of the victim. According to the investigation, the suspect allegedly committed rape and sexual assault against his own daughter, who was 12 years old at the time of the reported abuse. Furthermore, the allegations include sharing of explicit text messages with the minor over a period of time.
Capture and legal proceedings
Following the initiation of the investigation, the suspect fled the United States to evade prosecution. INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Pretoria spearheaded the effort to locate the fugitive, successfully tracing him to the Eastern Cape.
Upon receipt of the official extradition request from the United States, South African authorities executed a Section 5(1)(b) warrant. The arrest was executed through a coordinated operation involving the Nelson Mandela Bay District Intervention Task Team, the Crime Combating Unit, and Mount Road Crime Intelligence.
The suspect is currently held in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Gqeberha Magistrates' Court on Friday, 29 May 2026. At this hearing, the court will begin processing the extradition application submitted by the United States government to facilitate the suspect's return to face trial for the alleged crimes.