Fugitive counselor, convicted of sex crime against child, arrested in Toronto, awaiting extradition

April 20, 2011

A counselor from Contra Costa County, California wanted for sex crimes against a child has been arrested by the Toronto Police Service Fugitive Squad as he left a house in Brampton Wednesday morning.

According to reports the fugitive Tajinder Singh Bedi had fled while on trial for child molestation of two former patients in 2008. Bedi, 38, was convicted in the United States for two counts of sexual assault, lewd or lascivious act with a child under 14 years old.

His conviction came four days after he was reported missing. He was sentenced to more than eight years. Additional sentencing for his flight may also be added.

Mercury News reported on the flight of Bedi: “In all my years, it was the first time that one of my defendants failed to show up at trial,” said Pittsburg police Detective Eric Solzman, an officer for 22 years. He fled California, arriving in Toronto on March 1, 2011. Since that time he has traveled to Montreal. Bedi was found by the Fugitive Squad Wednesday morning living in Brampton where he was arrested as he left the home. He is being held in the West Detention Centre, awaiting extradition.

Source: K.J. Mullins, "U.S. fugitive arrested by Toronto Police," Digital Journal, April 20, 2011.