Diplomatic Security Coordinates Return of Ohio Fugitive From Philippines On Child Pornography Charges

Bureau of Diplomatic Security
Washington, DC
July 25, 2008

U.S. State Department Special Agent Helps Return Registered Sex Offender

Late yesterday, a U.S. State Department special agent coordinated the return from the Philippines of an Ohio resident with three outstanding warrants for child pornography and other related charges. The Ohio fugitive had taken refuge in the Philippines after fleeing the United States last year.

Registered sex offender Timothy Leonard Lantz is wanted on multiple child pornography charges by the FBI in Cincinnati, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Columbus, and the United States Marshals Service. Two of the charges Lantz faces are transportation of child pornography and advertising visual depictions.

A search warrant of Lantz’s apartment in Columbus in January 2007 uncovered multiple computers, hard drives, and other media containing child pornography. He fled the country soon afterward, traveling first to Amsterdam and Spain before arriving in the Philippines.

A U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agent stationed at the American Embassy in Manila worked with officials from the U.S. Department of Justice and Philippine immigration and law enforcement agencies to facilitate Lantz’s capture and arrange for his return to the United States to face justice.

Lantz was arrested on June 20 at a residence in Kulambugan, Lanao Del Norte, Philippines, by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and the Philippine National Police. He was escorted back to the United States by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Gregory B. Starr, Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), stated, “It’s this type of worldwide law enforcement cooperation that gives Diplomatic Security unparalleled ability to return fugitives like Lantz. His return highlights the critical role DSS plays in bringing suspects and fugitives to justice, regardless of where they may hide.”
Because the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the most widely represented law enforcement organization in the world, DS’s capability to track and capture fugitives who have fled U.S. jurisdiction to avoid prosecution is unmatched. During 2007, DS assisted in the resolution of 113 international fugitive cases from over 30 different countries.

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.

Contact:
Robert Downen
Diplomatic Security Public Affairs
571-345-2509

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