Fugitive of 40 Years Returned From Cuba To U.S. By Diplomatic Security

On-The-Run Tampa Man Brought Back to Face Mail Fraud Justice

On Wednesday, April 25, 2007, the fugitive Joseph Adjmi, age 70, was escorted by Special Agents from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) to the United States from Cuba, where he had been temporarily detained by Cuban authorities for a law enforcement matter in that country. 

Adjmi was wanted by U.S. law enforcement in the Middle District of Florida on an arrest warrant for bail jumping since 1965.  Adjmi, charged with mail fraud in U.S. District Court in Tampa, Florida, was found guilty by a jury, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1963.  He failed to appear on the court-ordered reporting date to begin serving his prison sentence.  A warrant was issued for his arrest in 1965 and he remained a fugitive for over 40 years.

In early 2006, the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba received information that the Government of Cuba had Joseph Adjmi in custody, but intended to expel him from Cuba at the conclusion of a period of detention for a law enforcement matter in that country.  In accordance with a request from the U.S. Interests Section, Cuban authorities agreed to deport Adjmi to the United States.  The case was handled in appropriate Consular and law enforcement channels.    

About noon today, Diplomatic Security Special Agents escorted Adjmi from Havana, Cuba, to Miami, Florida, aboard a chartered aircraft.  Upon arriving in the U.S., Adjmi was placed under arrest by DS agents and Deputy U.S. Marshals pursuant to the federal warrant.

Special Agent in Charge Edgar Moreno, of the Miami Field Office of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), stated, “It’s this type of  close, worldwide law enforcement liaison capability that gives Diplomatic Security unparalleled ability to locate, pursue and apprehend fugitives.  Adjmi's return highlights the critical role DS plays in bringing suspects and fugitives to justice, regardless of where they may be hiding.  Adjmi's apprehension was the direct result of law enforcement coordination and field efforts by Diplomatic Security, the United States Coast Guard and the U.S. Marshals Service."  

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State’s law enforcement and security arm.  The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world.  In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the U.S. Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations.  More information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.state.gov/m/ds.