PHILADELPHIA, PA — Idris Abdullah Malik, 49, was apprehended in Egypt this week and brought back to the United States to face charges of traveling for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct and engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero.
The indictment, filed on March 1, 2012, alleges that Malik traveled to Egypt four times between 2000 and 2005 to engage in illicit sexual acts with a minor under the age of 12. Additionally, from 2005 to 2006, he allegedly engaged in a sexual act with a minor less than 16 years old in Egypt.
Following the charges, Malik’s whereabouts were unknown, leading to a bench warrant for his arrest. Recently located in Egypt, Malik was returned to the United States with assistance from several agencies including the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, FBI Legat’s Office in Cairo, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the FBI. Egyptian security authorities played a crucial role in his capture.
On June 13, 2024, Malik was taken into custody by the FBI and made his initial appearance in the Eastern District of Virginia. He has since been transferred to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where he appeared in federal magistrate court in Philadelphia. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jose R. Arteaga presided over his arraignment and ordered him detained until trial.
If convicted, Malik faces up to 150 years in prison.
The case was investigated jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Josh A. Davison is prosecuting the case.
As always, an indictment is merely an accusation, and Malik is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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