Canadian sex offender arrested in South Lake Tahoe

By Kathryn Reed

A man wanted in Canada on child molestation charges was arrested today in South Lake Tahoe.

James William Robertson, 71, has been living at Lakeland Village for the past year. Officers could not pick him up sooner because of a “series of issues which occurred on the other side of the border,” Police Chief Brian Uhler told Lake Tahoe News.

James William Robertson

SLTPD has been working with the Royal Mounted Canadian Police, U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Department of Justice in expediting the extradition process.

Even though there was a warrant out for his arrest, Robertson, who is an attorney, was not stopped at the border because he is a dual citizen. Having a U.S. passport sent him into this country without any questions asked.

Robertson served a five-year term in a Canada prison for crimes involving children that included indecent assault, common assault and sexual assault.

He was released in 2010 with specific reporting conditions. The warrant was for allegedly not meeting the conditions of his release.

Because the conviction was in another country Robertson did not have to follow the sex registry laws of California that would have allowed officers to notify people of his presence and possibly arrest him for not registering.

While surveillance of all his whereabouts was not implemented, Uhler said officers did keep tabs on Robertson.

The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office is looking into taking action to have Robertson’s attorney’s license revoked.

U.S. marshals took Robertson to Sacramento where he awaits extradition to Canada.