American fugitive Michael Wiseman has been arrested in France after evading authorities for more than a decade, ending a years-long, multi-country search led by Arizona law enforcement and federal partners. The Scottsdale Police Department confirmed that Wiseman, previously convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor, was taken into custody on November 1 and is now slated for extradition to the United States.
Authorities say the arrest concludes a protracted effort that never stopped gathering momentum, ultimately uncovering new evidence and prompting additional charges tied to alleged crimes committed abroad.
Arrest In France And Extradition Plans
According to Scottsdale police, French authorities located Wiseman living in Kilstett, France, under the alias Robert Danilewski. Working with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Scottsdale detectives submitted a provisional arrest warrant to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs in September. That request was sent to French officials, who confirmed Wiseman’s whereabouts and moved to detain him.
Wiseman’s capture follows 14 years of investigative work after he fled Arizona while under court-ordered monitoring. In addition to his prior conviction in the U.S. for sexual exploitation of a minor, authorities say he now faces a separate charge of rape and sexual assault of a minor under the age of 15 tied to his time in France. He is expected to be extradited to face charges in the United States.
“Nearly two decades ago, this individual fled from accountability. Our detectives never stopped working to bring him justice,” Scottsdale Police Chief Joe LeDuc said in a statement. “This arrest reflects years of persistence, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to protecting children. We are deeply grateful for the FBI’s partnership and their continued support in this case.”
A 14-Year Timeline: From Arizona To Europe And Back
The case stretches back to February 2008, when Wiseman was first arrested in Arizona on multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Later that year, in November 2008, he removed his ankle monitor and fled the United States, according to a Scottsdale Police Department news release.
Authorities eventually tracked him to Spain, where he was arrested in 2009 and extradited back to the U.S. He pleaded guilty to escape and sexual exploitation of a minor and was sentenced in 2012. However, Wiseman later fled again while out on probation, reigniting an international search.
Police say leads placed Wiseman across multiple countries over the ensuing years. Investigators learned he traveled to Vietnam and Poland before ultimately settling in France. During that period, he allegedly obtained a Polish passport under an alias and used the name Robert Danilewski. Detectives also uncovered that he had adopted two children in Vietnam, information that became part of the broader profile compiled by authorities as they worked to locate him.
Police Sgt. Dustin Patrick told KPNX of Mesa that a key break came when Wiseman tried to apply for a pilot’s license in Spain using his legal name. “His potential employer Googled his name and found that he was on Scottsdale’s most wanted list and called Spain authorities,” Sgt. Patrick told the outlet. That tip, paired with additional investigative work, helped narrow the search and confirm Wiseman’s identity and movements throughout Europe and Southeast Asia.
How Investigators Closed In
While coordinating internationally and following a trail of aliases, Scottsdale detectives continued building their case. Working with federal partners and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the team pursued legal pathways to secure an arrest abroad. The provisional warrant filed with the DOJ’s Office of International Affairs set the final stages in motion, with French authorities confirming Wiseman’s residence in Kilstett before moving in.
Investigators also accessed an email account tied to Wiseman. Scottsdale police say the inbox contained video evidence documenting child sexual abuse, which provided grounds for additional charges and underscored the urgency of locating him. “Without the efforts to find Wiseman for extradition, this new evidence of his ongoing crimes may have never been discovered,” the department said in a statement.
As the extradition process advances, the case stands as a textbook example of long-term, cross-border collaboration among local, federal, and international agencies. Scottsdale police credited the FBI and overseas partners for sustained efforts that ultimately led to Wiseman’s arrest without incident.
What Happens Next
With Wiseman in custody in France, the extradition timeline will be determined by the courts and international agreements governing the transfer of suspects to the United States. Once returned, he is expected to face proceedings related to his prior conviction and the newly filed charges, including rape and sexual assault of a minor under 15, stemming from evidence authorities say was uncovered during the ongoing investigation.
For Scottsdale police, the arrest marks a pivotal moment in a case that spanned continents and years. “This was about accountability,” Chief LeDuc said, emphasizing the persistence of detectives who tracked leads from Arizona to Europe and back again. The department’s statement reiterated that the arrest was the product of meticulous work, information-sharing, and a commitment to ensuring that alleged offenses against children are fully prosecuted.
As the legal process continues, officials have not released additional details about court dates or the logistics of Wiseman’s transfer. For now, the focus remains on returning him to the U.S. and presenting the evidence investigators say they have meticulously assembled over the past decade-plus.
