A U.S. fugitive on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list will appear in a Montreal court on Monday charged with immigration violations.
Richard Steve Goldberg, 61, was arrested early Saturday in suburban Montreal by a police tactical team. He is being held under the Immigration and Detention Act.
"Our role in this hearing will be first of all to demonstrate that he should remain in detention," Erik Paradis, a spokesman with Canada Border Services Agency, told The Canadian Press on Sunday.
He said U.S. authorities have already initiated discussions about extradition proceedings.
"The American authorities will be asking and requiring his extradition. I'm sure the paperwork is on its way presently," Paradis said.
Goldberg is wanted in connection with various crimes against children, the FBI said in a news release issued Saturday.
He had reportedly been using the name Terry Wayne Kearns when Canadian authorities arrested him, although Paradis couldn't confirm that.
The FBI said an "individual residing in Canada" had identified Goldberg and then notified them.
The U.S. law enforcement agency made a request for assistance on Friday to their Canadian counterparts.
Local authorities in Long Beach, Calif. want Goldberg in connection with allegations that he engaged in sexual activities with female children under the age of 10.
There are also allegations that he captured these activities on videotape and that images were found on his computer.
The exact charges are:
- Sexual exploitation of children (production of child pornography)
- Unlawful flight to avoid prosecution
- Lewd acts upon a child (six counts), and
- Possession of child pornography (two counts)
The FBI said that as of March 31, there have been 486 fugitives on the most wanted list, and that 456 have been found.
Goldberg is the 149th "Top Ten Fugitive located as a direct result of citizen co-operation," it said.
With files from The Canadian Press
