Alleged Australian Fugitive Held Awaiting Extradition
Extradition Hearing Scheduled for Paul Douglas Peters

LOUISVILLE, KY—The United States, acting on a request made by Australia under the U.S.-Australia extradition treaty, obtained an arrest warrant on August 15, 2011 for the provisional arrest of alleged fugitive Paul Douglas Peters, pending Australia’s submission of a formal request for extradition and all supporting documents, announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.

Peters was arrested on August 15, 2011, then appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin this morning in Louisville, Kentucky. He was represented by counsel. The court ordered Peters detained pending an extradition hearing set for October 14, 2011 at 1 p.m. Peters was then placed in the custody of the United States Marshals Service.

According to the affidavit supporting the complaint and warrant, Peters was charged in Australia with kidnapping, aggravated breaking and entering with intent to commit a serious indictable offense, and demanding property with intent to steal. According to the affidavit, the charges in Australia are related to allegations that on August 3, 2011, in Mosman, New South Wales, Australia, Peters broke into a private residence, placed what appeared to be a bomb around the neck of an 18-year-old girl, and left a note concerning a demand for payment to be made in the future. The affidavit states that Peters then flew from Australia on August 8, 2011 and arrived by air in Louisville, Kentucky on August 9, 2011.

The matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett, and the investigation within the United States was conducted by the FBI.