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Posted on Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 5:58 a.m.

Former U-M assistant professor facing federal child porn charges is considered a fugitive, officials say

By Lee Higgins

A former assistant biology professor at the University of Michigan who is facing federal child pornography charges is considered a fugitive, said Gina Balaya, a spokeswoman with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Detroit.

Tzvi Tzfira, 43, was charged in February in a federal criminal complaint with distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography, but Balaya said he left the country and has not returned to face charges.

tzfira_1.jpg

Tzfira

AnnArbor.com reached Tzfira by phone Wednesday at his office at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, where works as an associate professor in the Department of Life Sciences. He declined to comment on the charges. University officials there could not be reached for comment.

Tzfira's attorney, Ray Cassar, said Tzfira went to Israel in December 2010 to care for his mother, who was seriously ill. Tzfira told the FBI and U.S. Attorney's office he would return to deal with the case, Cassar said.

At the time Tzfira left, no charges had been filed, but records show FBI agents had executed a search warrant at Tzfira's home in Pittsfield Township.

Cassar said Tzfira has not set a date to return to the U.S., but that remains the plan.

"I still fully intend on him coming back," Cassar said. "We're going to fight these charges."

Federal court records show Tzfira caught the attention of law enforcement in early 2010.

According to an affidavit by FBI Special Agent Jim Brennan, FBI agents in Washington, D.C. received information in February 2010 from Italian law enforcement officials about several U.S.-based computers involved in distributing child porn.

Investigators determined that one screen name used to share child porn over a peer-to-peer network in January 2010 was "2009ya," the affidavit says. An individual behind that screen name made 8 pages of thumbnail images of child porn available to the public, the affidavit says. Italian investigators "took screen captures of the files."

On July 15, 2010, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Tzfira’s home on East Horizons Court in Pittsfield Township. Agents seized laptop computers, an iPhone, DVDs, a video camera, a curriculum vitae and other items, search warrant records show.

When asked by investigators whether he used the "2009ya" screen name, Tzfira replied, "Yes, I think so," the affidavit says.

A forensic examination of one of the computers seized revealed more than 40 images of children engaging in sexual acts, the affidavit says. Investigators say the children ranged in age from less than a year to 12 years old.

Tzfira worked from Jan. 1, 2006, until Dec. 31, 2010, as an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at U-M, university spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said. According to university records, Tzfira resigned to take another position, Fitzgerald said. Tzfira's salary at U-M prior to his resignation was roughly $78,000.

If convicted of distributing child porn, Tzfira faces a minimum of 15 years in prison.

Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.

Comments

Sallyxyz

Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.

Gotta wonder if this guy was subject to a criminal background check before being hired by UM. This is not likely the first time this guy committed these acts. Needless to say, the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, where he currently works as an associate professor in the Department of Life Sciences, did not.

nicole

Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 3:09 a.m.

Yeah, sure, this guy is going to come back and face charges. Don't think so. I wonder if he was viewing this stuff on University time? Very creepy.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:46 a.m.

Yes, bedrog. Anyone who criticizes the State of Israel and/or its policies is anti-Semitic. How dare they!! [Turn off the sarcasm button] Good Night and Good Luck

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 12:26 p.m.

I rest my case. Talk about a broken record. GN&GL

bedrog

Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 11:52 a.m.

hi.. i was wondering where you were.

adameichner

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 5:33 p.m.

Trespass - the concept of a "Safe haven from extradition", I would remind you, though definitely imperfect (as in thsi glaring example) arose out of the fact that for fifteen years in europe you could be sentenced to death without charge or even a guilty act, simply for BEING a jew. Wide swinging pendulums are not pretty, but they ARE understandable.

djm12652

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 8:46 p.m.

so because things were so bad then to be a Jew, you are excusing possible behaviors now?

RJA

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.

Cassar is dreaming if he thinks Tzfira is coming back on his own accord. He has not set a plan yet? Who is he to set the date? I have a brother-in-law living in Israel and he is not a Jew, and well known.

Lola

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.

@trespass: Where in the article does it state that he's a Jew? @Marilyn Wilkie: He was not charged with a crime when he left so how could anyone let him "go free"? @Craigjjs: The hostility towards Israel is not imaginary. I stand with bedrog on this one. The man's attorney said that he will return to face the charges but doesn't know when. Perhaps his mother is dying and he wants to stay with her until that happens. The anti-Israel sentiments the comments here is quite obvious.

Marilyn Wilkie

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.

He is charged with a very nasty crime now and is considered a fugitive. His attorney says he doesn't know when he will come back. He is working at a University over there. It doesn't sound like he is sitting at his dying mother's bedside. When do you think he should come back? Do you care about the crime he is accused of or just possible anti-Jew activity. He could be anywhere, but he is in a country that can make it hard for him to face his peers here in America.

craigjjs

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.

Bedrog - If the post of trespass was incorrect, why not dispute it instead of whining about imaginary hostility to Israel.

Roadman

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 10:59 p.m.

@ MIck52: That convicted murderer could be released by age 33 in 2013 from an Israeli prison, which are more hospitable facilities than most state prisons in the U.S. In Michigan, the penalty for first-degree murder is mandatory life in prison with no possibility of parole.

Mick52

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.

Trespass does make an effort to put forth data, but I would point out here he left out a key element in his apparent criticism of Israel protecting criminals and that is the fact Charlie Brown gave us, the the murder was sentenced to 24 years for his crime by an Israeli court. Maybe not the best we could hope for, but a whole lot better than sanctuary and a fact that is good to know that Trespass left out. And it does not make it look like Israel is a place where criminals can go after committing crimes in the US. There are better places than that.

djm12652

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.

in other words, if someone disagrees with a comment, then of course it becomes a political scrimmage...typical annarbor, think like me or you're wrong.

bedrog

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.

my objection here is to the immediate weigh in by this particular poster , with all the 'data' readily at hand, in terms that vastly overstate the scale of the "jewish/israel/criminal'' connection... I unapologetically admit to being quite "up" on the doings of the local strident anti-israel cadre ( and 'trespass'es rhetoric shows the signs, although i don't know the real identity of this person, as i do others who post here) . my 'whining ( I like to think of it as trenchant scorn! ) would be more toward those in the non- fanatic larger populace who AREN'T more openly critical of these people.

Gordon

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 12:40 p.m.

I see / hear an investigation going on I guess I missed the part where he has been declared guilty. In this day & age of computer shannigans we assume someone is in charge of their own computer? Too many forms of software control have been fostered on people with computers they don't know about. If they can bust a company that creates security measures for other companies I would guess busting my / his computer would be easy. The above is as valid (at this point in time) as the opinions expressed in the comments section. I'd say there is a chance it could have been part of his research given his field of education. He is interfering with an investigation. I don't condon child porn. I do find the convenience of his ill mother in Isreali to be suspicious; but not condeming. It appears the FBI tipped their hand before they had sufficient facts to charge or hold him.

Mick52

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.

Not here. This guy would have been arrested at the state level at the time of the search warrant, especially with his statement that he was "2009ya." At least if he cannot be held pending trial as a condition of release you take the passport and a huge chunk of bond. Delays here are likely due to the workings of the federal system.

SaveTheOwls

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 5:35 p.m.

What type of research has images of child porn for any children let alone ones that are a year old? I suggest you watch extra shows of CSI before you comment about a law enforcement agency tipping their hand. I'm sure isreal has the appropriate penalty for child porn.

EyeHeartA2

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 12:25 p.m.

Trespass; Thank you for an informative post. Bedrog; Not so much. BTW, I generally take the side of Isreal in that whole fiasco, and find the ongoing protests on Saturday disgraceful, but you are starting to make me reconsider that.

Roadman

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.

@EyeheartA2: Ditto here. Trespass made some very interesting observations. The conduct of certain pro-Israel activists in Ann Arbor in recent years has made me reconsider and moderate my views toward the ongoing protests but I believe both sides should be engaging in more constructive dialogue. That said, there is nothing that specifically refers to this suspect as being Jewish(although it may be reasonably assumed) in the article nor should his acts reflect adversely on either Israel or its citizens.

bedrog

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 1:39 p.m.

please dont reconsider your original sentiments...they are correct and nothing i've said here should reasonably give you the remotest cause for such reconsideration.... I simply object to those who use any pretext to go on an anti-israel ( let alone jew ) riff and trespass' comes quite close to that. He could also have added meyer lansky to his 'informative' post but that fact remains we are dealing with 2 'rule of law' , strongly allied countries who can and will sort this out .

Marilyn Wilkie

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 11:15 a.m.

It is hard to believe that this man was allowed to go free and more than likely commit more crimes against children. e previous commenter's post makes it even more horrifying.

bedrog

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.

sorry for the misunderstanding, although i do admit to sensitivities on such matters given current events ( and awareness of local provocateurs). And i trust that the u.s. and Israel, being rule of law and allied countries, will sort this out in such a way that justice will be served.

Marilyn Wilkie

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 12:24 p.m.

bedrog, my "horrifying" comment was referring to the first commenter's post , not yours. By the time I had posted, your post was between theirs and mine. I believe that he should be tried in this country, where he is alleged to have committed these crimes. This has nothing to do with him being in Israel. I am sorry some are so sensitive and need to read things into my comments and the original poster's comment.

a2citizen

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 11:27 a.m.

Bedrog, would you suggest the small, local cadre make their hostility towards Belgium? Or maybe Japan?

bedrog

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 11:22 a.m.

no marilyn.... dont be horrified. Im not advocating free passes for criminals. Im just very well attuned to a small local cadre who will use any pretext to make their hostility to Israel "the' talking point. Hope you are not one of them.

trespass

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 10:44 a.m.

Flight of Jews who have committed crimes in other countries to Israel has been a problem for decades. Extradition from Israel has always been difficult. In 1997 an American teenager, Samuel Sheinbein, fled to Israel after he was accused of the gruesome murder of Enrique Tello Jr. Israel refused to extradite him. In response to the Sheinbein Affair, on April 19, 1999, the Knesset passed an Amendment (Number 6) to the Extradition Act, which permitted the extradition of Israeli citizens who had committed crimes abroad. It divided Israeli citizens into two categories: Israeli citizens who are residents of Israel at the time an extradition request is made and those who are not residents at the time of the extradition request. The former are to be extradited, but then returned to Israel for sentencing. Knowing this law, it was irresponsible for the US Attorney's office to allow Mr. Tzfira to leave the US for Israel. Thus, if he is an Israeli citizen, Mr. Tzfira will have to be sentenced by an Israeli court even if he is ever extradited to face trial in the United States. Although Israel views itself as a haven for all jews, it should not be used as a way for jews to commit crimes abroad and then flee to Israel to avoid trial and punishment in the country where the crime took place.

FredMax

Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 1:23 p.m.

You quote the well know Sheinbein case, he received 24 years. Any other examples come to mind to drive your concern? Googling this issue is tough, because the searches tend to populate with a history of crimes against Jews; hmmm, maybe this is why Israel tends to be so protective of Jews?

Mick52

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.

So if he went to prison for 24 minimum 13, at least he did not avoid trial and punishment. That's a lot more justice than Pam Am flight 103 bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi received when he was compassionately released to Libya. I would prefer extradition, especially in light of the aid the US gives to Israel.

mohomed

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 7:41 p.m.

Sorry but Israel is by far the most moral Country in the Middle East and leader of human rights. By the way just look how America and now Michigan treats child porn cases. With the new Adam Walsh Act effective 7-01-11 having Child Porn is only a Tier 1 sex offender crime and is NOT required to have public registration. So if you noticed many child loving men in Washtenaw County are still registered sex offenders, however you can't find out about them.

Roadman

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 4:58 p.m.

The U.S. Attorney had no power to detain Tzfira while the case remained under investigation without formal charges or upon a valid arrest based upon probable cause. The Scheinbein case was an international cause celebre. The Law of Return has had many critics and there have been comments that it has ben abused.

Charlie Brown's Ghost

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.

I recall that case. He was able to claim citizenship because his parents were born in Israel (though he had never been there). However, Israel itself tried him, found him guilty, and put him away for 24 years. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/25/us/israel-sentences-maryland-man-in-us-murder.html?ref=samuelsheinbein" rel='nofollow'>http://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/25/us/israel-sentences-maryland-man-in-us-murder.html?ref=samuelsheinbein</a>