PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mex. — Mexican authorities have arrested a former University of Southern California professor who was on the FBI’s 10 most wanted list over allegations of child sex abuse.
Walter Lee Williams was detained late Tuesday, Mexican state news agency Notimex reported.
The FBI placed the former USC professor wanted for alleged sexual exploitation of children on the list Monday, according to Notimex.
Williams researched in the field of gender development at USC, which gave him easy access to his victims, mainly teenage boys in developing countries, the FBI said.
Agents believe he had resided in Indonesia, Polynesia and Thailand, but also may have traveled to Mexico and Peru.
An FBI agent reported finding child pornography on a computer and in a video camera belonging to Williams.
He was the 500th suspect added to the “FBI 10 most wanted fugitives” list, and the bureau offered $100,000 for information leading to his arrest.
Williams’ photo had appeared in Mexican newspapers identifying him as a fugitive.
Police arrested him in a cafe in Playa del Carmen after he failed to produce proper identification.
Ben Brumfield and Marilia Brocchetto | CNN
