A 56-year-old American fugitive has been arrested in Gqeberha for allegedly sexually abusing his daughter, following a coordinated international law enforcement operation.
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A 56-year-old wanted fugitive has been arrested in Kabega Park, Gqeberha, for the alleged sexual abuse of his daughter.
The suspect, a US citizen, was apprehended at his home in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday following a coordinated tracking operation by international and local law enforcement units.
According to a South African Police Service (SAPS) report, the suspect was wanted by Interpol on charges of rape and sexual assault. The abuse was originally reported by the victim’s mother to the San Antonio Police Department in 2017.
"According to a report, the suspect allegedly raped his daughter and shared explicit text messages with her over a period; the victim was 12 years old at the time," SAPS stated. Police confirmed that the suspect evaded US authorities following the initial case processing.
"Upon completion of the investigation, the suspect fled the United States of America and was later traced to Eastern Cape, South Africa," the police report noted. The Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) Pretoria traced the suspect and executed a Section 5(1)(b) warrant upon receipt of the USA’s extradition request. The operation was supported by the Nelson Mandela Bay District Intervention Task Team, Crime Combating Unit, and Mount Road Crime Intelligence.
The suspect remains in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Gqeberha Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 29 May 2026, facing an extradition application by the government of the United States of America to the Republic of South Africa, SAPS confirmed.
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