On Tuesday September 29, 2015, a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigation’s (HSI) Flagstaff Office received information that 41-year old Samir Mahmoud Wadi was attempting to flee to the country of Jordan. Samir Wadi is a defendant awaiting trial in a Child Pornography case in Yavapai County Superior Court resulting from a case originating with an investigation by detectives from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and special agents from HSI. Wadi had been released from jail last year on a $30,000 bond.
The HSI Special Agent obtained a federal arrest warrant for Samir Wadi from the US District Court and then contacted HSI agents in New Mexico. Those agents apprehended Wadi at the Albuquerque airport after he checked in and prepared to begin his planned flights to Amman, Jordan. They noted he was traveling with a large amount of luggage and had left his Mercedes unlocked with the keys inside in the parking facility.
HSI will be working with the US Marshal’s Service to return Samir Wadi to Arizona so he can be present at his future trial for Child Pornography.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office detectives wish to mention that is just one example of the assistance the Flagstaff Office of Homeland Security Investigations has provided regarding many joint operations to discover those involved in the sexual exploitation of children. The partnership with HSI special agents has been essential in multiple investigations which have led to the capture of persons who sexually exploit children in Yavapai County.