Crime & Safety

FBI Says Former Palm Springs Resident, Top 10 Fugitive, Arrested in Mexico

A former resident of Palm Springs wanted on suspicion of engaging in sex acts with two boys in the Philippines was arrested Tuesday evening in Mexico, according to an FBI spokeswoman in Los Angeles.

Walter Lee Williams, 64, a former USC professor, was added Monday to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, according to federal officials in Los Angeles.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Bill Lewis confirmed Williams was arrested by Mexican officials, Laura Eimiller of the FBI said in a statement distributed after 11 p.m. June 18.

"The FBI received information about a possible location for Williams within Mexico and, through the FBI's Legal Attache in Mexico City, requested assistance from Mexican authorities to locate and apprehend Williams," Eimiller said.

Legal arrangements were being made to return Williams to U.S. custody, Eimiller said. Further details about his arrest were not released.

According to an indictment unsealed Friday June 14, Williams allegedly traveled from Los Angeles to the Philippines in January 2011 to engage in sex acts with two 14-year-old boys he met online in 2010.

"Williams has previously resided in Palm Springs, Calif., and he was affiliated with a religious organization known as the Buddhist Universal Association in Los Angeles," federal officials said Monday. "Williams has an extensive history of travel throughout the Southeast Asia region, specifically the Philippines."

Williams fled the Los Angeles area about one week after returning from the Philippines, federal officials said.

He also left the University of Southern California in 2011, Eimiller said Monday.

"USC officials have thoroughly cooperated with the investigation and there's no evidence, at this time, that criminal activity took place on campus," Eimiller said.

To read more about the federal indictment filed against Williams, click the following link:

Former Palm Springs Resident Now Top 10 FBI Fugitive

To view an FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive page about Williams visit www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten/walter-lee-williams.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.