Case of Richard Steve Goldberg

Case of Richard Steven Goldberg

(AKA: Steve Goldberg)

Former Aerospace Engineer - Brooklyn, NY

President of a Gun Club  - Long Beach, CA

Montreal, Canada

Convicted sex offender.  On June 14, 2002, Richard Steve Goldberg became the third child predator to be placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List. 

Goldberg was being sought for engaging in lewd acts in Long Beach, CA with several girls under 10 years old. 

Steve Goldberg also produced and possessed child pornography images of these sex acts, which were found on his computer. 

Goldberg gained the trust of his victims’ parents and then befriended their children. He entertained the girls by allowing them to play with his pets, watch television, and use his computer to play games.  Some of these girls also took short trips with him. 

In July 2001, a state arrest warrant was issued in California charging Goldberg with six counts of lewd acts upon a child and two counts of possession of child pornography. 

On November 25, 2002, a federal arrest warrant was issued charging Goldberg with the production of child pornography and the unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. 

On May 12, 2007, Goldberg was arrested in Montreal by Canadian authorities and was extradited to the United States to face federal and state charges of sexual exploitation of children, unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, lewd acts upon a child, and possession of child pornography. Goldberg (age 62) pled guilty and was sentenced on December 10, 2007 to 20 years in federal prison.

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Disclaimer: Inclusion in this website does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement. Individuals must decide for themselves if the resources meet their own personal needs.

Table of Contents: 

1965

1. Convicted of Breaking and Entering (08/12/1965)

1982

1. Charged with Aggravated Assault  (10/12/1982)

2001

1. Federal Warrant issued in the Central District of California charging Richard Steve Goldberg with Title 19. U.S.C. Section 1073 - Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution for the underlying charges of Committing Lewd Acts with Children (6 Counts) and Possession of Child Pornography (2 Counts) (August 16, 2001)

2002

1. Alleged Calif. molester on 'Most Wanted'  (06/14/2002)
2. Alleged Sexual Offender Placed on Ten Most Wanted List
3. Long Beach Molester (06/14/2002)
4. Man wanted in child-sex case (06/15/2002)
5. Fiend Makes FBI Wanted List (06/15/2002)
6. Costa Rica - US / Fugitive U.S. Fugitive Believed To Be In Costa Rica (06/29/2002)
7. Local criminal (07/09/2002)  
8. Ask the FBI: 'Ten Most Wanted' addition (07/18/2002) 
9. Richard Steve Goldberg: Wanted BY FBI (12/06/2002) 

2005

1. The Real Mulder & Scully - FBI Most Wanted List  (01/25/2005)
2. America's Most Wanted - FBI Top Tenner - A Dangerous Child Predator Who Targets Neighborhood Children  (08/20/2005)

2007

1. FBI: Captured on May 12, 2007 in Montreal, Canada (05/12/2007)
2. Fugitive on FBI Top 10 Held in Canada (05/13/2007)
3. Arrest of U.S. fugitive shocks Dorval residents (05/13/2007)
4. Most Wanted fugitive to appear at hearing (05/14/2007)
5. FBI `Ten Most Wanted' fugitive arrested in Montreal, Canada  (05/14/2007)
6. Arrested pedophile suspect wanted by FBI was about to turn himself in, lawyer says (05/14/2007)
7. Suspected pedophile ordered deported   (05/19/2007)
8. Most Wanted hopes for fair trial in U.S. (05/19/2007)
9. Ex-fugitive gets 20 years in molestation (12/11/2007)

2013

1. Federal Prison System: Inmate Lookup  (10/23/2013)

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Alleged Calif. molester on 'Most Wanted'

United Press International - June 14, 2002

The FBI placed Richard Steve Goldberg on its "10 Most Wanted Fugitives" list Friday. Goldberg is being sought for allegedly engaging in sex acts with several girls under 10 in California. He also allegedly possessed images of those sex acts, which were later found on his computer, the FBI said. From January through May 2001, Goldberg allegedly lured neighborhood girls to his Long Beach, Calif., home. The FBI said Goldberg gained the trust of the girls' parents first, then befriended the children. "He entertained the girls by allowing them to play with his pets, watch television and use his computer to play games," the FBI said in a statement. "Some of these girls also took short trips with him." In July 2001, state officials issued an arrest warrant charging Goldberg with six lewd acts upon a child and two counts of possessing child pornography.

He was subsequently charged on a federal warrant with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. 

Goldberg is white, 6 feet tall, 160 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. Born on Nov. 9, 1945, in Brooklyn, he had a thick moustache and receding hair, the FBI said. Goldberg was formerly employed as an engineer in the aerospace industry. He was president of a gun club in Long Beach, but has ties to, or may have traveled to, New Jersey, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona and Georgia.

A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered for any information leading directly to his arrest.

Persons with information on Goldberg should not approach him, the FBI said, but should call the nearest FBI office or local police.

If Goldberg is spotted outside the country, citizens should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Goldberg is the 474th person to be placed on the FBI's "10 Most Wanted Fugitives" list since it was established in 1950.

The FBI credits a reporter for INS, which merged with UP to become UPI, and an FBI assistant director with creating the concept.

Since then, 445 fugitives have been caught or located, 145 of them as the result of citizen cooperation.

More information on Goldberg, including his wanted poster, is available on the FBI Home Page at fbi.gov.

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Alleged Sexual Offender Placed on Ten Most Wanted List

By States News Service

WASHINGTON  "The FBI placed Richard Steve Goldberg, an alleged sexual offender, on its 'Ten Most Wanted Fugitives' list," the Department of Justice said in a press release.

The release also said: "He is being sought for allegedly engaging in lewd acts with several girls under ten years of age in California. He also allegedly possessed images of these sex acts which were later found on his computer. Goldberg should be considered armed and dangerous.

From January through May of 2001, Goldberg allegedly lured neighborhood girls to his Long Beach, California home in order to engage in illicit sexual activities with them. Goldberg gained the trust of the parents and then befriended their children. He entertained the girls by allowing them to play with his pets, watch television, and use his computer to play games. Some of these girls also took short trips with him.

In July of 2001, a state arrest warrant was issued in California charging Goldberg with six counts of lewd acts upon a child and two counts of possession of child pornography. Goldberg was subsequently charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution in a federal arrest warrant issued by the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Goldberg is described as a White male, 6'0", 160 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He was born on November 9, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York. He has a thick moustache and a receding hairline. Goldberg was formerly employed as an engineer with a major aerospace engineering corporation. He was the president of a gun club in Long Beach, California. Goldberg has ties to, or may have traveled to, New Jersey, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, and Georgia.

Richard Steve Goldberg is the 474th person to be placed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list, which was established in 1950. Since then, 445 fugitives have been apprehended or located, 145 of them as a result of citizen cooperation.

A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered for any information leading directly to the arrest of Richard Steve Goldberg. Individuals with information concerning Goldberg should take no action themselves, but instead immediately contact the nearest office of the FBI or local law enforcement agency. For any possible sighting outside the United States, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Additional information regarding Richard Steve Goldberg, including his wanted poster, is available on the FBI's Internet Home Page at  http://www.fbi.gov."

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Long Beach Molester

Long Beach City News Service  - June 14, 2002 Friday

LOS ANGELES   The FBI today added a Long Beach man suspected of molesting girls 5-8 years old to its list of "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives."

Richard Steve Goldberg, 56, has been on the run since this past summer. According to the FBI, he should be considered "armed and dangerous."

The former aerospace engineer lured neighborhood girls to his home and molested between January and May 2001, according to the FBI.

"He had computer with children's software. He had pets in the backyard -- rabbits, ducks, things that would obviously interest young kids," said Long Beach police Detective Mike Holguin.

FBI Agent Richard Garcia said he gained the confidence of the child's parents, and "some of these children also took short trips with him."

In July, an arrest warrant was issued, charging Goldberg with six counts of lewd acts upon a child and two counts of possessing of child pornography, according to the FBI.

But Goldberg was nowhere to be found. The FBI is offering up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Garcia said Goldberg, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., enjoys being outside and "has ties to and has traveled to New Jersey, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona and Georgia." He was the head of a gun club at his former job in Long Beach.

Goldberg is white, about 6 feet tall and 160 pounds, with a brown hair and brown eyes, a thick mustache and a receding hairline, according to the FBI. Anyone with more information as to Goldberg's whereabouts should call the FBI, but Garcia warned that he should not be approached.

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Man wanted in child-sex case

By Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- A Southern California man wanted by police for allegedly engaging in lewd acts with several girls was put on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list yesterday, the law enforcement agency said.

Richard Steve Goldberg of Long Beach is sought for allegedly possessing images of these sex acts, which were found on his computer.

The FBI says Goldberg should be considered armed and dangerous. Goldberg replaces accused child molester Michael Scott Bliss on the FBI's list. Bliss was recently captured.

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Fiend Makes FBI Wanted List

By David K. LI and Rita Defliner

The New York Post - June 15, 2002

A pedophile Pied Piper who molested at least six girls after using ducks and Barbie games to lure them to his California home was placed yesterday on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List, authorities said.

Richard Steve Goldberg, 56, an aerospace engineer and Brooklyn native, took pictures of sex acts with the girls - all under 13 - and stuck them in his computer at his Long Beach home, the bureau said.

"The photographs that he took of himself committing these lewd acts, that was worse than anything we've seen before," said FBI agent Richard Garcia.

While none of Goldberg's alleged neighborhood victims said the six-footer was violent, cops said that the gun buff, who has been on the lam since July, should be considered armed and dangerous.

"To me, a person who does these horrible things to children, I think anything's possible," said Long Beach Police Detective Michael Holguin at a Los Angeles press conference.

Cops said they know Goldberg, who has a distinctive receding hairline and out-of-control locks, has visited relatives in Rumson, N.J., but believe he now could be anywhere from coast to coast.

"He fits a classic pedophile [profile] where he basically gains the trust not only of the kids, but the parents, as well," Holguin said.

Goldberg baby-sat, squired some of the girls on short trips, and turned his house into a playground with rabbits, ducks, and kid-friendly software - including one game where girls help dress Barbie.

Goldberg allegedly sexually preyed on at least six girls from January through May of 2001.

That July, a California arrest warrant was issued charging Goldberg with committing lewd acts with six children and with possessing child pornography - images of the sex acts found on his computer.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest.

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Costa Rica - US / Fugitive U.S. Fugitive Believed To Be In Costa Rica

EFE _ June 29, 2001

San Jose, Jun 29 (EFE).- Costa Rican police are on the lookout for U.S. fugitive Richard Steve Goldberg, an accused pedophile who is on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list.

Costa Rican Security Minister Rogelio Ramos on Saturday told the newspaper Al Dia that the U.S. fugitive flew into Costa Rica last week under his own name.

Ramos said that despite Costa Rican authorities' close working relationship with the FBI, they had not yet received a formal request from Washington to cooperate in the capture of the suspect.

The minister said, however, that he had ordered border police to prevent Goldberg from leaving the country.

The FBI suspects Goldberg, 56, of committing six rapes of children under the age of 10. He is also wanted on charges of possession of child pornography.

The fugitive left the United States at the beginning of June. U.S. authorities are offering a $ 50,000 reward for information on his whereabouts.

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Local criminal

By Amir Oren

July 9, 2002 - Ha'aretz

Richard Steve Goldberg, not such a nice Jewish boy from Brooklyn, his most recent address in Long Beach, California, now lives in close proximity to Osama bin Laden. Goldberg and bin Laden are neighbors on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List. Bin Laden has been on the list slightly longer than Goldberg.

Bin Laden is a suspect in the murder of thousands of people; $25 million awaits the person who provides information that leads to his arrest. Goldberg is a pedophile who engages in sexual activity with underage girls. Both men are sought for having allegedly committed federal crimes, and both are considered armed and dangerous.

You have to get into the FBI's head, in more ways than one - into the organizational line of thought, as well as that of its director, Robert Mueller - to understand why the investigators are hesitant to classify the murder at the El Al check-in counter a terrorist attack. To Israelis, it's as plain as day: An Arab attacked Israelis on the grounds of an installation of their national airline. Americans might see it slightly differently, especially if they have vowed to fight crime - and in their eyes, terror is just that, a crime - as opposed to an enemy. Over the past few months, Mueller has been trying to appease the large Arab and Muslim community, part of which extends its patronage to dormant terror cells and most of which has been adversely affected by its identification with bin Laden.

"These attacks against you and your communities are not only reprehensible, like terrorism, they are attacks against humanity," said Mueller two weeks ago in a speech to the national convention of the American Muslim Council. He said that the FBI had launched more than 360 investigations on attacks and threats against Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Americans, and that over 100 individuals had been charged with federal, state or local crimes. Muslims are now volunteering to work for the FBI translating intelligence material and interviewing prisoners in Guantanamo. FBI agents are taking courses in Islam. No one dares mention the problematic term, "dual loyalty."

From this point of view, an American of Egyptian descent who has lived in California for years caused the deaths of two Americans of Israeli descent who have lived in California for years. This may be terror (and if so, it would be the pretext for transferring the investigation from the local police to the FBI) and maybe not; the connection to the never-ending Middle East conflict still has to be proved.

Such a connection has been made in the past decade in only one instance - the murder of ultra-Orthodox teenager Ari Halberstam and the wounding of three friends as they drove on the Brooklyn Bridge on March 1, 1994. The shooter, Rashid Najib Baz, was captured and convicted. This was the only instance in which the FBI decided that the circumstances - revenge for the murderous attack at the Tomb of the Patriarchs the previous week - justified the classification of Halberstam's murder as an act of terrorism.

In Los Angeles, Hesham Hadayet did not survive to explain his motives. And even if he had, he was not unlike the Egyptian murderer in Ras Burka and the Jordanian murderer in Naharayim - an isolated assailant, a title that was first coined during the investigation of the Hebron massacre - in which the attacker did not belong to any organization. Although the FBI has issued warnings that members of Gama'a al-Islamiya (which has its headquarters in Egypt), al Qaida, Hezbollah, Harakat ul-Mujahidin and Kahane Chai are all active in the United States, nearly all of the terrorist incidents there - over 300 in the past two decades - can be attributed to the Animal Liberation Front, the Earth Liberation Front, the anti-abortion front, the Symbionese Liberation Army, the extreme right, the extreme left, organizations for the liberation of Puerto Rico, the Jewish Defense League, the Justice Commando of the Armenian Genocide and Irish provocateurs.

Back in Israel, the computers of the intelligence community have also come up with nothing after being fed the name of Hadayet, cross-linked with every known terror organization. Attacks against Israeli delegations abroad are considered a realistic threat, but the highest alert has been declared for Amman, Cairo, Alexandria, Istanbul, Ankara and Manila. Los Angeles is not considered a prime target.

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Ask the FBI: 'Ten Most Wanted' addition

USA Today - Thursday, July 18

On June 14, 2002, the FBI placed Richard Steve Goldberg on its "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list. Goldberg is being sought for allegedly engaging in lewd acts with girls under age 10; he also allegedly possessed images of these sex acts which were found on his computer. After first gaining the trust of the parents he then befriended their children, allowing them to play with his pets and use his computer to play games. A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered for information leading directly to Goldberg's arrest. Join Chief Michael Heimbach of the FBI's Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU), as he discusses the Goldberg case and the FBI's efforts to combat crimes against children.

Comment from Chief Michael Heimbach: Thank you for joining us this afternoon. We are excited about the placement of Richard Steve Goldberg on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List.

Hudson, Florida: How often does the public play a part in the return of an abducted child or the capture of a child preditor.

Chief Michael Heimbach: The public plays a significant role in the recovery of abducted children and the capture of child predators. It takes a collaborative effort on the part of law enforcement and the public to bring a successful resolution to these cases.

Boston, MA: Why don't all the Fbi offices work on this. We're told in Boston that child porn cases are not a priority.

Chief Michael Heimbach: The FBI does address child pornography cases in Boston. In addition, there are state and local law enforcement agencies that also address child pornography crimes.

Washington, D.C.: How does a person qualify for this list?

Chief Michael Heimbach: A panel is convened at FBI Headquarters and all potential candidates are evaluated. Richard Goldberg is considered a dangerous fugitive that continues to pose a threat to children.

Houston, Texas: What is so hard about finding him?

Chief Michael Heimbach: Goldberg is known to be a transient and has moved to numerous locations over the past year.

New York, NY: Are there any general tips you can give parents?

Chief Michael Heimbach: Crimes Against Children information is available on the FBI's website at www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimesmain.htm. At this website, you can search online state sex offender registries. Furthermore, please visit the website of of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com.

Alexandria, VA: Have you guys come up with a pedophile profile, as it were? What sorts of individuals are more likely to engage in this sort of activity?

Chief Michael Heimbach: Our subjects are generally middle-aged white males that have above-average intelligence and often have access to computers. However, please keep in mind that we have seen child molesters that represent all walks of life.

California: One of your fugitives was caught in Thailand also wanted for these kinds of crimes - Roser? Anyway, do you think Goldberg may also be there?

Chief Michael Heimbach: We have no evidence that Goldberg has left the United States.

Virginia: In this recent Samantha case, the FBI has been quoted as saying that the man will strike again. Can that be said about Goldberg? While he's on the run, is it likely he's still targeting young girls?

Chief Michael Heimbach: Yes. Many sex offenders are likely to continue to sexually exploit/abuse children no matter where they are.

New York, NY: Are these kinds of crimes on the rise? Are they even worse in large cities like here?

Chief Michael Heimbach: The FBI's Innocent Images National initiative has experienced a significant increase in child pornography/child sexual exploitation cases opened in the past few years. In fact, our caseload has increased 1280% between fiscal years 1996 and 2001.

Los Angeles, CA: Are the resources in LA spread too thin? I mean the FBI is working on the Runnion case, the LAX shooter, and this Ten Most Wanted case, among others?

Chief Michael Heimbach: The Los Angeles office of the FBI is the second-largest field office within the FBI. Appropriate resources are being allocated to all of these matters.

Houston: I've recently heard about Innocent Images and want to know more. Is it part of the Crimes Against Children program that you head?

Chief Michael Heimbach: Yes. Innocent Images is part of the FBI's Crimes Against Children Program. For more information, visit the "online child pornography" section of www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimesmain.htm.

washington dc: Who determines the $50,000 reward for this top tenner?

Chief Michael Heimbach: A reward of up to $50,000 is standard FBI policy for all Top 10 fugitives.

knoxville, tnn: has the refocusing of the FBIs objectives since September 11 made it more difficult to pursue crime not related to terrorism?

Chief Michael Heimbach: Although the priorities and focus of the FBI have changed since September 11th, the resources allocated to Crimes Against Children program have not decreased.

Shamokin, Pennsylvania: Dear Mr. Heimbach: First of all, thank you for your service and dedication to our nation's children.I have great concern for our nations children and am sickened each and every time I hear or read another story about adults abusing a child's innocence and trust and committing these unspeakable acts against them and I want to know what, if anything I can do to assist my local community in preventing such hanus acts against children. Thank you,

Chief Michael Heimbach: Thank you for your kind words. Child safety information and programs are available through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com

Cleveland, OH: Do you think the newly passed law called the"Patriot Act" will assist you more in catching criminals of this nature(i.e.pedofiles)? Or was the law passed mainly for terrorism purposes?

Chief Michael Heimbach: The law was passed for terrorism purposes, however, there may be unexpected benefits for our online child pornography investigations.

Florence, KY: I have 3 girls, what can I say to them to give them the right mindset to protect themselves if we aren't around. Ages 4,3 & 7mos.

Chief Michael Heimbach: Of course you want to ensure that your children should stay away from strangers. Also, teach children that grownups should NOT ask kids to do things that other adults can do for them.

columbus ohio: what role do you feel the internet plays in what seems to be increasing cases of pedophilia. or has it always been a major problem and is just being reported more frequently now.

Chief Michael Heimbach: The Internet has given child molesters greater access to children. Whereas before a sex offender would have to go to a playground or school to find kids, now they can surf and chat online to look for potential victims. Furthermore, the Internet allows sex offenders to easily communicate with one another and share child pornography.

Memphis, TN: What is your average success rate for capture of top ten fugitives?

Chief Michael Heimbach: Goldberg is the 474th fugitive to be placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. Of these 474 fugitives, 445 fugitives have been apprehended or located. 145 were apprehended as a result of citizen cooperation.

Minneapolis, MN: Does the FBI have any leads on the cases in Portland - Pond and Gades? Were they kidnapped by sexual predators or just a plain old stranger? Why can't you find them?

Chief Michael Heimbach: The FBI is following up on all leads in this case.

St. Louis: What is the FBI's role in child abductions/kidnappings? When do you get involved and why?

Chief Michael Heimbach: The FBI responds to all instances of child abductions as soon as we are aware of it.

Syracuse, New York: I'm seeing more of a trend of putting pedophiles on the Top Ten List. Is this a new focus for the FBI?

Chief Michael Heimbach: Goldberg is the 3rd child predator to be placed on Top 10. The FBI seeks to represent all programs of the FBI when considering potential candidates.

College Park, MD: How many cases a year does the FBI investigate regarding child predators? Do you have a program or iniatitive that's solely geared toward this issue?

Chief Michael Heimbach: The FBI opened 1559 child pornography/child sexual exploitation cases in fiscal year 2001. The FBI's response to these crimes is our Innocent Images National Initiative, a nationwide program to combat these crimes.

Salt Lake, UT: Why did the FBI decide that sexual predators were important enough to be on the Top Ten? Traditionally it was bank robbers, etc.

Chief Michael Heimbach: Goldberg is a danger to children and has a violent history. He is a gun enthusiast and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Salida, CA: Chief Heimbach, Do you think that incidents of child abduction/molestation have increased drammatically over the last two decades, or has our awareness & reporting of those crimes just increased? Also: do you think laws need to be tougher (harsher sentences) for child kidnappers, child rapists?

Chief Michael Heimbach: Certainly our awareness and resources towards these crimes have increased over the past few years. Laws vary state to state and there are efforts underway to strengthen penalties for these crimes.

Seattle, WA: What other investigative matters does your unit handle? Are there a lot of connections between child abductions and sexual predators?

Chief Michael Heimbach: The Crimes Against Children Unit handles numerous crimes including domestic/international parental kidnappings, child pornography/ child sexual exploitation via the internet, child abductions, child prostitution, child sex tourism, national sex offender registry matters, and interstate travel for the purpose of sex with a minor.

Comment from Chief Michael Heimbach: Thank you for joining us this afternoon. For additional information on the FBI's Crimes Against Children Program, please visit our website at www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimemain.htm.

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Richard Steve Goldberg: Wanted BY FBI

FBI - December 6, 2002

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The Real Mulder & Scully - The FBI Most Wanted List

Discovery Channel - January 25, 2005

This infamous list currently includes the following ten:

Richard Steve Goldberg

Richard Steve Goldberg is wanted for allegedly engaging in sexual activities with several female children under the age of ten in Long Beach, California, from January until May of 2001. He also allegedly possessed images of these sex acts, which were later found on his computer. Reward for information leading directly to the arrest of Richard Steve Goldberg: Up to US$ 50,000.

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Richard Steve Goldberg

FBI Top Tenner - A Dangerous Child Predator Who Targets Neighborhood Children

America's Most Wanted - August 20, 2004

Long Beach, California police say Richard Goldberg molested six young girls under ten years old from January through May of 2001. They say that he took pictures of himself with the young girls and stored them on his computer. Police fear Goldberg may have disseminated the pornography via the internet.

Police say Goldberg gained the trust of the neighborhood parents, then became a babysitter and "friend" to the kids in the area. Cops say the single man made his home a magnet for children. His backyard had swings and a cage with rabbits and ducks. Inside the house, Goldberg had children's computer games, kid's music, art supplies and even children's soap. He would provide free babysitting to the children and gave them freedom to come over to his house anytime.

Running Home To Mommy

Police say that Goldberg was "found out" on May 11, 2001. That's when cops say two young girls playing on Goldberg's computer saw an image of two of their young friends naked with their next door neighbor. A full investigation was launched and six neighborhood kids reported being sexually assaulted by Goldberg. Agents discovered several pieces of child pornography on his computer, including photos of Goldberg himself, engaged in sex acts with children.

Police searched Goldberg's home in June 2001 and seized his computer -- Goldberg immediately fled. In early July, after finding evidence on the computer, police issued an arrest warrant.

Cops know Goldberg fled home to his parents in Rumson, New Jersey after leaving Long Beach. But his trail ends there.

Since he's been on the run, police say Goldberg has been linked to Las Vegas, NV; Bullhead City, AZ; CO and GA. His ex-wife and two adult children in Atlanta, GA.

Wanted For

Production of Child Pornography (Federal), Long Beach, CA

Child Molestation 6 counts, Long Beach, CA

Possession of Child Pornography 2 counts, Long Beach, CA

Television Airings

August 20, 2005

July 10, 2004

AMW Radio

August 20, 2005

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FBI: Captured on May 12, 2007 in Montreal, Canada

FBI - May 12, 2007

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Fugitive on FBI Top 10 Held in Canada

Associated Press - May 13, 2007

LOS ANGELES — Canadian authorities have arrested a California man who was on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list for alleged sex crimes against children, the FBI said.

Richard Steve Goldberg, 61, of Long Beach, was arrested Saturday in Montreal at an address provided by a tipster who recognized the fugitive from the FBI's Web site, said Laura Eimiller of the FBI in Los Angeles. He had been on the run for about six years, she said.

Long Beach authorities claim Goldberg engaged in sexual acts with girls under the age of 10 in 2001. He also produced images of the sex acts, which were later found on his computer, according to the FBI.

Goldberg was being held by Canadian authorities for violating Canadian immigration laws and was scheduled to be in court on Monday, Eimiller said.

Goldberg was expected to be extradited to the United States. He will face state and federal charges, including sexual exploitation of children, unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, six counts of lewd acts upon a child and two counts of possession of child pornography, Eimiller said.

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Arrest of U.S. fugitive shock Dorval residents

Irwin Block

The Gazette (National Post) - Sunday, May 13, 2007

Unsuspecting neighbours say they are shocked to learn they were sharing the same apartment building with a man on the FBI's Most Wanted list who is accused of being a pedophile.

Richard Steve Goldberg, 61, described by the FBI as armed and dangerous, offered no resistance when Montreal police, backed by its tactical squad, arrested him early Saturday morning in Dorval.

He is being held at the federal detention centre in Riviere des Prairies. Since Goldberg is here illegally, he could be deported without waiting for an extradition hearing, agency spokesperson Erik Paradis said.

Adama Traore, walking out of the apartment block on Dorval Ave., between Lakeshore Rd. and Dawson Ave. where Goldberg lived, said he was "astounded" by the news.

"I have an 11-year-old daughter and to see that a pedophile was living in my building is very disturbing," he said. "It's scary that a man like that was living in the same building as young children," Traore added.

A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Goldberg is suspected of sexual activities with girls under the age of 10 in Long Beach, Calif., from January to May 2001. He is said to have enticed the girls to his house in North Long Beach with offers to play with his pets and computers, then assaulting them sexually.

Lisa Furnival, who has lives on the ground floor of the complex, down the hall from the apartment Goldberg rented under an assumed name as Terry Wayne Kearns, said she and her neighbours are "in shock."

Montreal police asked her and other residents to leave their apartments around 1 a.m. Saturday morning prior to the arrest.

"There are at least three children under the age of five on this hallway, and nobody knew anything," she said from her balcony. "They should screen tenants before giving them a lease."

Fournival, who has lived in the complex for 20 years, said she never saw Goldberg. Other neighbours has similar observations. "He never came out of that apartment," Fournival said.

Margaret Bennett, another ground-floor resident, recalls having seen the man, but nothing unusual about his behaviour.

"It's scary, you don't know who your next door neighbours are," she remarked. Another woman, who has lived in the building more than seven years, said she never saw the man.

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Most Wanted fugitive to appear at hearing

By Paul Cherry

Montreal Gazette - Monday, May 14, 2007

A man arrested during the weekend after being on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list for years is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing this afternoon.

Richard Steve Goldberg, 61, was arrested on Saturday inside an apartment in Dorval. He is wanted in California. The former aerospace engineer, is accused of committing lewd acts on six girls age 5 to 8 between January and May 2001. He is also charged with two counts of possessing child pornography.

Authorities conducted their first interview with Goldberg this morning, said Erik Paradis, a spokesperson for Canada Border Services Agency. Goldberg was held in custody at the Riviere des Prairies detention centre during the weekend.

He is expected to appear before an Immigration and Refugee Board for a detention review hearing.

Police in Long Beach, Calif., began investigating Goldberg in May 2001, after they were told he had child pornography on his home computer.

Charges were filed weeks later but by then Goldberg had fled his home. He was placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list in 2002.

The FBI considered him as armed and dangerous because he was the president of a gun club in California.

The pornography allegedly depicted him having sex with his victims. When Goldberg made it on to the FBI list in 2002, one agent described the pornography as "worse than anything we've seen before."

During a 2002 news conference, the police alleged that Goldberg had gained the trust of the parents of his victims. He let the girls play with his pets, watch television and play on his computer. Some of the girls took short trips with him.

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FBI 'Ten Moste Wanted' fugitive arrested in Montreal, Canada

E Ontario Now - May 14, 2007

Montreal - In Montreal, Québec on Saturday, officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Montreal Police Service arrested one of the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" fugitives.

Richard Steve Goldberg, living under the assumed name Terry Wayne Kearns, was picked up without incident in a Montreal apartment by police acting on a tip from the FBI's Los Angeles field office. An unidentified person living in Canada had recognized Goldberg as one of the FBI's most wanted, verified the information on the FBI's website, and then called in the tip to the FBI in Los Angeles. The FBI had offered a reward of up to US$100,000 for information leading directly to the arrest of Goldberg.

It was not clear how long Goldberg had been living in Canada, though he has been fugitive since 2001. Goldberg is wanted by police in Long Beach, California, on allegations that he engaged in sexual activities with several female children under ten years of age and produced images of the sex acts, which were subsequently found on his computer.

According to the FBI web site, the specific U.S. charges against Goldberg stemming from incidents that allegedly took place in 2001, are: sexual exploitation of children (production of child pornography), unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, lewd acts upon a child (six counts), and possession of child pornography (two counts).

Canadian authorities are holding Goldberg in Montreal currently on immigration-related violations. He is expected to appear in court on Monday. It is likely that extradition or deportation proceedings will be initiated in order to transfer Goldberg to the United States to face charges there.

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Suspect on U.S. most-wanted listed arrested in Montreal

By Jeff Gray

Globe and Mail - May 14, 2007

On the run for six years, 61-year-old Richard Steve Goldberg was on the same FBI most-wanted list as Osama bin Laden. The Brooklyn-born former aerospace engineer fled after being charged with luring girls under 10 to his Los Angeles-area home, sexually assaulting them and storing images of the assaults on his computer in 2001.

But over the weekend, Mr. Goldberg was found on the other side of the continent, living reclusively in a nondescript apartment block in Dorval on the Island of Montreal and using a fake name: Terry Wayne Kearns.

Acting on an anonymous tip from a Montrealer who had seen Mr. Goldberg's picture on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's website, the U.S. agency says it contacted RCMP and Montreal police on Friday with an address.

Some time after 1 a.m. Saturday morning, a Canadian Border Services Agency investigator and the Montreal tactical squad cleared the other residents of a Dorval Avenue apartment building and moved in on Mr. Goldberg, a former gun-club president who the FBI warned could be armed and dangerous.

The grey-bearded fugitive, wearing a plaid shirt and baseball cap, offered no resistance, said Erik Paradis, a spokesman for the border agency. He said Mr. Goldberg was questioned around 3 a.m. and then taken to Montreal's Rivière-des-Prairies detention centre.

"We now have in detention in Montreal one of the 10 most wanted that you would find along with Osama bin Laden," Mr. Paradis said in an interview. "You want him there and not out on the streets."

It was unclear how long Mr. Goldberg had been in Montreal. This afternoon, he is scheduled to appear before the Immigration and Refugee Board at the Guy-Favreau Complex in Montreal for a detention review.

Mr. Paradis said officials were able to move quickly once they determined they could arrest Mr. Goldberg without a warrant, on immigration charges. His immigration status may also speed his exit from Canada to face U.S. justice. Mr. Paradis said it was unclear whether U.S. authorities would have Mr. Goldberg formally extradited, or whether Canadian immigration officials would simply order him deported and hand him over.

A reward of $100,000 had been offered for information that led to his arrest. Mr. Goldberg was charged in 2001 with producing child pornography, two counts of possessing child pornography and six counts of performing lewd acts on a child. None of the charges have been proved in court.

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Arrested pedophile suspect wanted by FBI was about to turn himself in lawyer says

By Paul Cherry

CanWest News Service - Monday, May 14, 2007

MONTREAL -- A suspected serial pedophile on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list for years was preparing to return to the U.S. to turn himself in before his arrest over the weekend, his lawyer said.

Richard Steve Goldberg, 61, appeared Monday before the Immigration and Refugee Board for a detention review hearing.

The former aerospace engineer is wanted in the U.S. on six counts of performing lewd acts on girls age 5 to 8, and two counts of possessing child pornography.

During the hearing, Lucie Cliche, of the Canada Border Services Agency, revealed Goldberg entered Canada on July 26, 2001, claiming to be on business and using his U.S. passport.

At the time he was charged with one count of performing a lewd act on a child. An arrest warrant charging him with five more counts of the same crime, as well as possession of child pornography, emerged almost three weeks later.

He maintained a low profile in Canada for years, living off his savings under the assumed name Terry Wayne Kearns, until his arrest Saturday morning, after a tipster sent information to authorities.

"If it was not for the tipster, we believe he would still be underground," Cliche said.

But after the hearing, Goldberg's lawyer, Jeffrey Boro, said his client was preparing to surrender himself days before his arrest. The lawyer suggested Goldberg's inquiries and requests for help made him easy to track down.

"He came to see me on Friday and gave me the mandate to try to negotiate his return to the United States," Boro said. "Unfortunately, I did not have the time to start the case because he was arrested during the weekend."

Boro said he believes his client grew tired of living underground and was starting to run into financial problems. Goldberg had been in contact recently with a few people he knew, asking them for help. It appears one of them tipped off the FBI, Boro said.

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Suspected pedophile ordered deported

By Debbie Parkes

The Montreal Gazette, with files from The canadian press - Saturday, May 19, 2007

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=99590e3a-c86a-4eab-861c-518518a86551

Montreal - A suspected child molester who was on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list for years told his deportation hearing in Montreal yesterday that he never knew that turning himself in would be so difficult.

Richard Steve Goldberg, 61, made the comment shortly after Immigration and Refugee Board member Dianne Tordorf ordered him deported. He had not contested the motion.

Mr. Goldberg was arrested last weekend, apparently after someone he'd gone to for help tipped off police. His lawyer, Jeffrey Boro, said Mr. Goldberg had met with him that Friday to discuss turning himself in.

Richard Goldberg said at his deportation hearing yesterday that authorities in California have reasonable grounds to suspect him of sex crimes against children.View Larger Image View Larger Image

Richard Goldberg said at his deportation hearing yesterday that authorities in California have reasonable grounds to suspect him of sex crimes against children.

Mr. Boro said it remains easy, as Mr. Goldberg did, to obtain fake documentation in Canada, despite attempts to crack down after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

What's more surprising, according to Mr. Boro, is how despite Mr. Goldberg's status on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list, he managed to withdraw nearly $50,000 from his U.S. bank account to finance the six years he spent in hiding in Montreal.

"I feel that in some ways that list is really a joke," he said. "Nobody was looking for him in a very diligent way."

Mr. Goldberg even had a hard time turning himself in. When he called the U.S. embassy in Ottawa for advice, Mr. Goldberg says officials told him to take a bus to Plattsburgh, New York. Once there, law enforcement officials would pick him up, they purportedly said.

Mr. Goldberg admitted during his hearing that officials in California have reasonable grounds to suspect he committed sex crimes against children. He said all he asks for is "open minds and a fair trial" in the U.S.

Mr. Goldberg is accused of engaging in sex acts with six young girls, aged between seven and 10, and taking pictures of the attacks. The 61-year-old former engineer became the neighbourhood babysitter and kept ducks and bunnies at his Long Beach, California, home. Police say it was all part of a trap set to lure children to his house.

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Most Wanted hopes for fair trial in US.

Molestation suspect to be deported.  'It's not like he's a killer,' lawyer says

By Debbi Parkes

The Gazette - Saturday, May 19, 2007

A child molestation suspect who was on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list for years told his deportation hearing yesterday he never knew voluntarily turning himself in would be be so difficult.

Richard Steve Goldberg, 61, also told the Immigration and Refugee Board member hearing his case yesterday that his biggest hope is for fair treatment and a fair trial in the United States.

"That's all I ask for - open minds and a fair trial," Goldberg told board member Dianne Tordorf moments after she ordered him deported.

Richard Goldberg, 61, appears before the Immigration and Refugee Board yesterday.

Goldberg then talked about the "verbal abuse" he had been subjected to earlier in the week. At that point, his lawyer, Jeffrey Boro, interrupted him, whispering to him that anything he said during the hearing could be used against him in court in the U.S.

Goldberg, a former engineer for the Boeing aeronautics company, is to be kept in custody until his deportation, which is expected to take place within days.

He faces six counts in California of lewd behaviour with six girls age 7 to 10, between January and June 2001. He also faces two charges of possession or control of child pornography.

He entered Canada on July 26, 2001 - after only one count had been laid against him and a $50,000 bond had been posted for his bail. He used his legitimate U.S. passport and claimed to be entering the country on business.

He lived in Montreal under the assumed name Terry Wayne Kearns, backed by a Saskatchewan birth certificate, and lived off $51,000 of his savings, yesterday's hearing was told.

He was placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list on June 14, 2002. He was captured last Saturday after someone tipped the FBI.

Goldberg claims he was already trying to turn himself in. In an interview after the hearing, Boro said Goldberg had come to see him the day before his arrest, asking for help to turn himself in.

Boro also said in an interview that without minimizing the gravity of the offences his client is alleged to have committed, he doesn't understand how Goldberg made it onto the list. "It's not like he's a serial killer."

There are no allegations of sexual penetration, Boro added.

You don't have to be the worst of the worst to get on the list, an FBI spokesperson said in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C. FBI investigators who think publicity and a reward might help the case advance can apply to have a fugitive put on the list, she said.

The FBI was offering a reward of up to $100,000 U.S. for a tip leading to Goldberg's arrest, independent of the $100,000 celebrity Oprah Winfrey was offering.

Laura Eimiller, a spokesperson with the FBI in Los Angeles, the branch handling Goldberg's case, said she's not at liberty to say anything about the tipster. She did suggest the reward money soon will be collected.

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Ex-fugitive gets 20 years in molestation

By Scott Glover

Los Angeles Times - December 11, 2007

Richard Steve Goldberg admitted taking photos of himself and a 5-year-old girl engaged in sexual conduct in Long Beach in 2001.

A convicted child molester who was once among the FBI's most wanted fugitives was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison Monday for taking pornographic pictures of himself and a 5-year-old girl from his Long Beach neighborhood.

Richard Steve Goldberg, an unemployed aerospace engineer, lured young girls to his home by allowing them to play with his pets, watch movies and use his computer, authorities said.

As part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors, Goldberg, 62, admitted to taking digital photos of himself and the 5-year-old girl engaged in sexual conduct in 2001.

At his sentencing Monday, U.S. District Judge John F. Walter called Goldberg's crimes "unspeakable acts."

The investigation into Goldberg began May 11, 2001, after an 8-year-old girl returned home from a visit to his house and told her sister that Goldberg had inappropriately touched her and other children and had shown them his penis.

The older girl told their mother, who called police.

Detectives interviewed four children -- all girls between the ages of 5 and 9 -- who were at Goldberg's home that day. The children said Goldberg showed them the movie "The Shining" and served them popcorn and soft drinks.

He also turned on his computer and allowed some of the children to play a game that involved putting clothes on a naked Barbie doll.

The children gave conflicting accounts about what else occurred, authorities said. Two of them said they saw Goldberg engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with the other two girls. But when questioned by Long Beach police, the two girls denied Goldberg had done anything wrong.

Goldberg also denied the allegations.

About a month later, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge issued a search warrant for Goldberg's home and computer. Investigators searching the computer found several nude photos of a 5-year-old girl on a bed in a sexually suggestive position. They also found several other pictures of the girl engaged in sexual acts with a man, later identified as Goldberg.

After being charged by both local and federal authorities, Goldberg fled the country.

In 2002, he was placed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list. A press release put out by the FBI at the time described how Goldberg "gained the trust of parents and then befriended their children" before committing his crimes.

After more than six years as a fugitive, Goldberg was captured in Montreal after an informant saw his photo on the FBI's website. He was arrested by Canadian authorities in May and deported to the United States.

U.S. Atty. Thomas P. O'Brien said in a prepared statement that Goldberg's case -- and his sentence -- should serve as a warning to other child predators.

"We will find you, we will prosecute you, and your perverted acts will land you in prison," O'Brien said.

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Federal Prison System: Inmate Lookup
October 23, 2013

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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." –– Margaret Mead

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