Israeli official arrested in child sex sting makes court appearance via video

An Israeli cybersecurity official arrested in a child sex sting appeared via videoconferencing for an arraignment Wednesday.

Tom Alexandrovich, 38, was arrested last month and faces a charge of luring or attempting to lure a child with computer technology to engage in sexual conduct.

Alexandrovich posted $10,000 bail after his arrest and returned home, leading to online outrage from critics who said the government was intervening on behalf of Israel, something the U.S. State Department has denied.

Henderson Justice of the Peace Barbara Schifalacqua ordered Alexandrovich not to have contact with minors and not to use social media or apps for dating.

At multiple points in the hearing, the judge chided defense lawyer David Chesnoff.

“I don’t need you asking me questions, Mr. Chesnoff, with all due respect,” the judge said.

But Chesnoff repeatedly interjected to correct her as she spoke about his client and the case.

“I don’t appreciate being interrupted,” Schifalacqua said.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Jake Villani confirmed that he was not asking for a change in the bail amount.

The prosecutor also said he was not asking for additional conditions, other than no contact with minors if Alexandrovich returns. “There’s no way to supervise” conditions, he told the judge.

Schifalacqua asked if Villani wanted her to order Alexandrovich to remain in Clark County or Nevada.

“I’m not making that request,” Villani replied.

Chesnoff argued that Alexandrovich has had no incidents since his release and is not dangerous. It could also be difficult to enforce conditions, he said.

“For example, (if) you say he can’t see children, well who’s going to report to you, just considering the distance?” he asked.

Alexandrovich voluntarily underwent a polygraph test when he was arrested, said the defense attorney.

When Alexandrovich was asked if he ever had “any kind of relations with anyone under the age of 19,” he said no and the FBI determined he passed the exam, according to Chesnoff.

“He’s served his government, but he’s also, as a result of that service, served our government,” Chesnoff told the court.

Alexandrovich’s departure also led to a war of words between Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson and Nevada U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah.

Chattah posted on X: “A liberal district attorney and state court judge in Nevada FAILED TO REQUIRE AN ALLEGED CHILD MOLESTER TO SURRENDER HIS PASSPORT, which allowed him to flee our country.”

Wolfson said Alexandrovich’s bail was “standard,” meaning it was pre-set by the court and required no release conditions. He also charged that Chattah had demonstrated an “unfitness to serve.”

Schifalacqua ordered last week that Alexandrovich appear for hearings via video.

Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X.