Man Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor After Being on the Run for Nearly 14 Years
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A man accused of multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor has been apprehended after evading authorities for close to 14 years. Michael Wiseman, identified as the second most wanted fugitive by the Scottsdale Police Department, was captured in France on November 1st, as reported by a news release issued by the department. The charges against Wiseman date back to a case in 2008 when he faced multiple accusations of sexual exploitation of a minor. Following an initial arrest in February 2008, Wiseman purportedly removed his ankle bracelet and fled the United States in November of the same year while under court-ordered supervision.
According to Scottsdale police, the FBI’s Phoenix field office managed to secure an Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution (UFAP) warrant, resulting in Wiseman’s arrest in Spain in 2009. Despite being extradited to the U.S. and receiving a sentence in 2012, Wiseman reportedly absconded from the country once more while on probation. Subsequently, multiple nationwide extradition warrants were issued for Wiseman’s arrest on various charges, including probation violation related to sexual exploitation of a minor and failure to register as a sex offender. Investigators from the Scottsdale Police Criminal Intelligence Unit revealed that Wiseman fled to Vietnam before moving to Poland and eventually settling in France, where he allegedly assumed the alias Robert Danilewski.
In September, the Scottsdale CIU collaborated with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to present a Provisional Arrest Warrant to the Department of Justice Office of International Affairs. Following approval, the warrant was transmitted to French authorities, who confirmed Wiseman’s location in Kilstett, France. Detectives were able to access Wiseman’s personal email account in October 2025 after obtaining a search warrant, uncovering historical and current data, including potential new instances of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The videos in question were verified as CSAM involving Wiseman by the Scottsdale PD Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit (HEAT) and the Arizona Internet Crimes against Children (AZ ICAC) Task Force.
The Scottsdale Police Department reported that the newly discovered CSAM contained evidence suggesting Wiseman had engaged in sexual abuse against his adopted child. As a result, French authorities charged Wiseman with “rape and sexual assault of a minor under 15 years of age.” Wiseman is currently in custody in France, facing charges for crimes committed within their jurisdiction, before being extradited to the United States. Chief Joe LeDuc of the Scottsdale Police Department commended the unwavering dedication of the investigative team, stating, “Our detectives never stopped working to bring him to justice. This arrest reflects years of persistence, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to protecting children.”
The arrest of Michael Wiseman serves as a testament to the perseverance and collaboration of law enforcement agencies in pursuing justice for victims of sexual exploitation. The case highlights the importance of international cooperation in apprehending fugitives and holding them accountable for their actions. Wiseman’s capture after years on the run demonstrates the relentless efforts of authorities to ensure that perpetrators of heinous crimes do not evade justice. Ultimately, the successful apprehension of Wiseman sends a clear message that those who engage in crimes against children will be pursued and brought to justice, regardless of how long they attempt to evade capture.