As previously reported by EL Gazette (‘A name changer’, 28 April 2021), the ease by which it’s possible to change your name makes it too easy for criminals to slip the net.
The latest example of this is a 64-year-old convicted US citizen who has been on the run since 2010. He was originally detained when transmitted paedophile material was discovered on several of his devices in New York City. He was put on house arrest, but removed his security bracelet, altered his surname and left the country.
He managed to avoid detection for 11 years, travelling to Spain, the UK, Germany and back to Spain all the while teaching private English lessons. Due to his changed name, background checks didn’t show up his criminal record of possessing child pornography. However, he was finally tracked down in Barcelona by the Catalan Civil Guard with help from its Escape from Justice team on 22 September of this year.
