THE National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) arrested on Wednesday a 52-year-old American national who is facing investigation in the United States America on accusations of child pornography.
Robert Dean Lunsford, who lives with his Cebuana wife in barangay Lagtang, Talisay City, was apprehended by the NBI-7 led by Special Investigator Arnel Pura outside a mall in Talisay City.
The US Department of State Diplomatic Security Service has been looking for Lunsford after he failed to register as a “sex offender.”
Lunsford was convicted and meted a jail term of two to four years for sexually abusing a girl.
He is also facing investigation for violating the anti-child pornography law in the state of Missouri.
NBI-7 Director Edward Villarta said US laws mandate persons who were accused of sexual abuses and related cases to inform the US government about the offenses they were accused of.
Lunsford was detained at the NBI detention cell yesterday. He will be brought to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Bicutan, Taguig City, today where he will await deportation to the US.
Last July 19, Special Agent Shaun Gavin of the US Department of State Diplomatic Security Service assigned at the US Embassy in Manila sought the assistance of the NBI-7 to take custody of Lunsford.
Lunsford fled the US sometime in April. He arrived in the Philippines last June.
Last July 15, the US government revoked Lunsford’s passport due to his failure to register as a “sex offender.”
Since he is an “unregistered alien,” Gavin said Lunsford ought to be arrested in the Philippines.
He may secure temporary liberty if he pays $50,000 bail to the US government.
Lunsford refused to comment when reporters tried to get his reaction.
“I have nothing to say,” he said.
Villarta said NBI-7 is conducting a follow-up investigation to find out whether Lunsford violated laws in the Philippines during his stay.
He said the NBI-7, BI and US law enforcers are committed to locate, apprehend and facilitate the deportation of wanted US nationals who are hiding in the Philippines.