November 3, 2005

            LANSING -- Attorney General Mike Cox announced today that a sexual predator arrested by the Child and Public Protection Unit in 2004 for using the Internet to commit child sexually abusive activity is back in custody after fleeing the United States before trial.

            “Working together with federal and Florida officials, my office has successfully brought this fugitive back to justice,” said Cox. “This case underscores the need for sexual predators to be subject to bonds and sentences that adequately reflect the danger they pose to society’s most vulnerable victims, our children.”

            Attorney General investigators originally arrested Serageldin Ahmed Abdellatif, a 59-year-old substitute teacher from the Detroit and Rochester Public School Districts, on
June 8, 2004. Cox alleged in the complaint that between June 1, 2004 and June 8, 2004, Abdellatif used the Internet to contact what he believed was a 14-year-old girl to arrange a sexual encounter. Abdellatif appeared at the prearranged location and time to meet the online persona and was arrested.

            Abdellatif was arraigned in Troy’s 52-4 District Court on seven felony charges, including one count of Child Sexually Abusive Activity, and one count of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, both 20-year felonies. He was also arraigned on five counts of Using a Computer to Distribute Obscene Material, a four-year felony. Abdellatif was released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond.

            An Egyptian-born United States citizen, Abdellatif allegedly fled to Egypt before his August 5, 2004 preliminary examination. Attorney General investigators continued to monitor Abdellatif’s whereabouts, and worked with U.S. Customs, state and county officials to track him to Putnam County, Florida where he was arrested by Putnam County Sheriffs on November 2.  Cox has begun extradition proceedings to bring Abdellatif back to Michigan.

            A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

            Since 2003, Cox’s Child and Public Protection Unit has arrested 77 Internet child sexual predators and pornographers. Attorney General Cox encourages parents to visit www.michigan.gov/ag for tips on safe Internet usage for children. Citizens can also report suspected Internet child predators via the Report Internet Abuses Against Children link, or by calling the Child and Public Protection Unit at (313) 456-0180. 

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