Davao, June 19, 2019 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines commends the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) for the arrest of a U.S. citizen fugitive in Davao. The successful arrest occurred in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers in Manila and Connecticut, as well as the Department of State Assistant Regional Security Office/ Investigations (ARSO-I).
The coordinated international effort came to fruition thanks in part to the deep partnership between HSI Manila, ARSO-I, and BI. On June 6, U.S. citizen Jason Eric Keller, alias “Eddie Buttered Toast,” was arrested for violation of Philippine Immigration Law. This arrest was based on an arrest warrant issued by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut on December 18, 2018, which put Keller’s continued presence in the Philippines in conflict with Philippine immigration laws. Keller is detained at a BI detention center while awaiting deportation to the U.S. to face federal charges in the District of Connecticut for Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activity in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. 2422(b), and Receipt of Child Pornography in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. 2252A(a)(2) and (b) (1).