FBI-Wanted American Detained in Phuket Over Alleged Child Sex Offences

Thai authorities have detained an American national in Phuket who is wanted by US authorities under eight arrest warrants related to alleged sexual offences against children.

Lance Beck, 48, was located at a hotel in Phuket on August 29 following a request from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Thai police said the American is accused of sexually abusing children under the age of 14 and recording the alleged abuse on video before fleeing to Thailand.

The allegations against Beck include sexual torture, rape, human trafficking, facilitating a child’s travel for an unlawful sexual act, sexual abuse and incest.

The Royal Thai Police received a request for assistance from the FBI on August 27, asking Thai authorities to help locate and investigate Beck.

According to police, he is wanted under eight US warrants. Seven were issued in Alabama and one is a federal warrant.

Investigators from Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police, Immigration Division 3 and Sakhu Police worked together to trace Beck’s movements after determining that he had entered Thailand through Phuket International Airport.

Their investigation eventually led officers to a hotel in Nai Yang, in Thalang district, where Beck was believed to be staying.

At approximately 2:15pm on August 29, officers found Beck at the hotel. Police informed him that his permission to remain in Thailand had been revoked. According to the authorities, Beck acknowledged that he was the individual being sought by US officials.

He was subsequently taken into custody and transferred to the Immigration Detention Centre. Thai authorities are now processing his return to the United States, where he is expected to face legal proceedings over the allegations.

Phuket Times reported that Beck will be returned to the US to answer the charges brought against him.