Eric Justin Toth (born February 13, 1982), also known under the alias David Bussone, is an American former fugitive and sex offender convicted of possessing and producing child pornography.[1] On April 10, 2012, Toth replaced Osama bin Laden on the FBI Ten Most Wanted list as the 495th fugitive to be placed on that list by the FBI.[1] One alleged reason he was chosen for the list is that his distinctive appearance—he is tall and thin, with a mole under his left eye—would make it hard for him to hide if his case became well publicized.[2] Toth was captured in Esteli, Nicaragua on April 10, 2013[3] and extradited on April 22, 2013, to the United States to face trial.[4]
| Eric Justin Toth | |
|---|---|
 | |
| FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive | |
| Reward | $100,000 |
| Alias | David Bussone[1] |
| Description | |
| Born | February 13, 1982 Hammond, Indiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg) |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Status | |
| Convictions |
|
| Penalty | 25 years in prison |
| Added | April 10, 2012 |
| Caught | April 22, 2013 |
| Number | 495 |
| Captured | |
Biography
editEric Toth was born in Hammond, Indiana, and was raised in Highland, Indiana. Toth attended Cornell University for a year and transferred to Purdue University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in education.[5][6] In 2008, he was accused of producing pornographic photographs and video footage of young boys while working as a third-grade teacher in Washington, D.C.[7]
Toth has often been described as a computer expert; he has demonstrated above-average knowledge regarding computers, the use of the Internet, and security awareness.[5] Toth has the ability to integrate into various socio-economic classes and is an expert at social engineering.[5] He used social networking sites regularly. His educational background was conducive to gaining employment in fields having a connection to children. Some have described Toth as a compulsive liar.[8]
Toth was captured by the Nicaraguan police in April 2013 in Estelí, a northern city of Nicaragua. He was immediately extradited to the United States to face trial.[9][10]
Sentence
editIn March 2014, Toth was sentenced in federal court to 25 years in prison. He is currently incarcerated at FCI Fort Dix.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Former teacher wanted for child porn makes - FBI list". CNN. April 10, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
- ^ Schmidt, Michael S. (April 10, 2012). "Osama Bin Laden Replaced on F.B.I.'s Most Wanted List". The New York Times.
- ^ "News from AP - The Dallas Morning News, dallasnews.com".
- ^ ABC News. "U.S. News - National News". ABC News.
- ^ a b c "FBI — Homepage". FBI.
- ^ "Hammond native Eric Toth on FBI's 'Ten Most Wanted Fugitives' list". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 11, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
- ^ Nelson, Laura J. (2013-04-23). "Eric Toth, on FBI's most wanted list, is arrested in Nicaragua". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2013-06-01.
- ^ "Former Beauvoir Teacher Featured on 'America's Most Wanted'". The Washington Post. November 23, 2008. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014.
- ^ "Eric Justin Toth, one of FBI's 'most wanted,' captured in Nicaragua". NY Daily News. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "FBI — FBI Top Ten Fugitive Now in Custody". FBI.
- ^ "Former Teacher Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Production of Child Pornography and Other Charges". FBI. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
External links
edit- Toth's FBI Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Alert
- Additional information from America's Most Wanted
- cnn.com
This article incorporates public domain material from Eric Justin Toth. Federal Bureau of Investigation.