HSI Phoenix seeks help identifying potential victims of ex-MMA fighter arrested for multiple sex crimes involving minors
PHOENIX — Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are seeking the public’s assistance to identify potential victims of a former mixed martial arts fighter arrested early Thanksgiving morning at the Miami International Airport for charges related to sex trafficking of minors, engaging in illicit sexual contact in foreign places, production of child pornography and other related offenses. HSI Phoenix is conducting the investigation jointly with the HSI Bogota Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit’s Directorate of Protection and Special Services (DIPRO), which is comprised of members of the Colombian National Police, with assistance from HSI Miami and HSI attaché offices in Bangkok and Buenos Aires.
James Bond, of Scottsdale, is a former MMA fighter known as “Underdog” who changed his name from Jaymes Christopher Schulte. On Nov. 28, Bond made his initial court appearance in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami. He will be transported to the District of Arizona to face charges.
The indictment alleges that he had sex with eight minors in Colombia; that he solicited, recruited and enticed the minors to engage in commercial sex acts; and that he produced videos that were transported to the United States depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also charges distribution of multiple videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct through his website.
Bond boasted about his international travel to the Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Thailand, Taiwan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Germany, the United Kingdom and Russia. HSI anticipates additional victims will come forward from around the globe.
Anyone who may have had contact with Bond or thinks they may have information that may be relevant to the child exploitation investigation is encouraged to call the HSI toll-free Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or to complete its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the United States and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users may call TTY 802-872-6196. Highly trained specialists take reports from the public, victims and law enforcement agencies related to laws enforced by HSI. You may remain anonymous.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Phoenix is prosecuting the case.
The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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