American fugitive arrested

An American national who had been tagged as an undesirable alien was arrested in Quezon City by members of the Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Search Unit.

BI-FSU identified the arrested American as Jonathan Michael James, 37 years old. He was arrested at Barangay Krus na Ligas in Diliman, Quezon City, during an operation Thursday morning, 21 September.

James' passport has been revoked by US authorities, and he is now considered an undocumented and undesirable alien by Philippine immigration.

The fugitive is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina, USA, for five counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor in violation of Section 14-190.17 of the North Carolina General Statutes.

Earlier this month, the US government informed the Bureau about his crimes, prompting BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco to issue a mission order to locate him and effect his arrest.

According to Tansingco, they work closely with foreign governments to prevent foreign fugitives from using our country to evade justice for their crimes.

Prior to his eventual deportation, James will remain at the BI Warden Facility in Taguig City.