After several tries, U.S. officials finally nab Roman Polanski in 1970s rape case [Updated]

Three decades after he fled the United States following his arrest for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl, Roman Polanski was taken into custody in Zurich this morning and faces extradition to Los Angeles.

Polanski, the famed film director whose career continued to flourish even after fleeing for Europe, was arrested as he arrived in the Swiss city to accept an award at the Zurich Film Festival.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office learned last week that Polanski had plans to travel to Zurich this weekend, said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office.

Prosecutors sent a provisional arrest warrant to the U.S. Justice Department, which presented it to  Swiss authorities. On at least two previous occasions, the district attorney’s office has received reports that Polanski had travel arrangements to countries with extradition treaties with the U.S. and prepared paperwork for his arrest, Gibbons said.

“But in the end, he apparently found out about it and didn’t go,” she said.

A source familiar with the investigation told The Times that the U.S. Marshals Service had come close to arresting Polanski half a dozen times or so over the past few decades -- though several of those opportunities presented themselves in the last two years.

"For one reason or another, it just didn't work out," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case was ongoing. "There are so many variables."

The source said Polanski always was very careful about when and where he traveled. But as new questions arose in recent years about the fairness of his case, the source said Polanski appeared to become more at ease about travel.

Thomas Hession, head of the Marshals Service's  Los Angeles office, would not comment on specifics of the case but said authorities moved quickly on each lead. "Any time information was developed, the L.A. County district attorney's office and the Marshals Service immediately acted on it."

Three decades after he fled the United States following his arrest for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl, Roman Polanski was taken into custody in Zurich this morning and faces extradition to Los Angeles.

Polanski, the famed film director whose career continued to flourish even after fleeing for Europe, was arrested as he arrived in the Swiss city to accept an award at the Zurich Film Festival.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office learned last week that Polanski had plans to travel to Zurich this weekend, said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office.

Prosecutors sent a provisional arrest warrant to the U.S. Justice Department, which presented it to  Swiss authorities. On at least two previous occasions, the district attorney’s office has received reports that Polanski had travel arrangements to countries with extradition treaties with the U.S. and prepared paperwork for his arrest, Gibbons said.

“But in the end, he apparently found out about it and didn’t go,” she said.

A source familiar with the investigation told The Times that the U.S. Marshals Service had come close to arresting Polanski half a dozen times or so over the past few decades -- though several of those opportunities presented themselves in the last two years.

"For one reason or another, it just didn't work out," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case was ongoing. "There are so many variables."

The source said Polanski always was very careful about when and where he traveled. But as new questions arose in recent years about the fairness of his case, the source said Polanski appeared to become more at ease about travel.

Thomas Hession, head of the Marshals Service's  Los Angeles office, would not comment on specifics of the case but said authorities moved quickly on each lead. "Any time information was developed, the L.A. County district attorney's office and the Marshals Service immediately acted on it."

Asked if prosecutors would ask that Polanski be sentenced to time behind bars if he were returned to the U.S., Gibbons said, “We’ve always maintained this is a matter between Polanski and the court. … We initially recommended prison time for him, but I can’t see into the future.”

An attorney for Polanski, Chad Hummel, declined to comment. “Right now, we’re not in a position to say anything,” he said.

[Updated 1:00 p.m. : In a statement, three Los Angeles attorneys representing Polanski  indicated the arrest came as a surprise. The lawyers have been representing him in an ongoing attempt to have the case against Polanski dismissed on the grounds of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct.

"We were unaware of any extradition being sought and separate counsel will be retained for those proceedings,” wrote attorneys Douglas Dalton, Chad Hummel and Bart Dalton. Their request to have the 1977 charges against Polanski dismissed is currently pending before the state Court of Appeal.

The organizers of the Zurich Film Festival expressed “great consternation and shock” over Polanski’s arrest and said the program honoring his films would go on in his absence.

 A spokeswoman for the event, Nikki Parker, wrote in an e-mail that neither Polanski nor the organizers considered his legal status in the U.S. an issue in attending the festival because he often traveled to Switzerland and even owned a home there.

“There was no concern whatsoever,” Parker wrote.]

Polanski, now 76 and a married father of two, asked the court to throw out the entire case based on new allegations of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct detailed in an HBO documentary last year. The L.A. district attorney’s office argued that he could not make such a request while a fugitive, and an L.A. judge earlier this year agreed. A 1997 attempt at settling the case also failed.

Polanski was arrested 31 years ago at a Beverly Hills hotel after a 13-year-old girl accused him of sexually assaulting her during a photo shoot at actor Jack Nicholson's house.

A 1978 arrest warrant, issued after he failed to appear at his sentencing on the statutory-rape conviction, is still in effect, and he would be taken into custody upon arrival on U.S. soil. The director of "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby" has not returned to the U.S. since then but continues to work as a director, winning an Oscar for "The Pianist."

Polanski’s stay in Switzerland could be brief if he opts to return to Los Angeles.

“If he agrees with an extradition, he could be sent to the U.S. in the next days,” said Guido Ballmer, a spokesman for the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police.

But if Polanski declines to come back without a fight -- perhaps a more likely scenario given his three decades as a fugitive -- the court process could be quite lengthy, Ballmer told The Times.

The appeals process has several layers and could last months, if not longer. 

-- Harriet Ryan and Andrew Blankstein

Photo credit: A Polanski fan waits for Zurich's Filmfestival. Polanski would have been awarded tonight with the "Golden Eye Award" for his lifework. Ennio Leanza / EPA

More coverage:

Roman Polanski photo gallery

Roman Polanski's attorneys stunned by arrest

Samantha Geimer on being the victim of Polanski and the media

Polanski's extradition to L.A. could take months

Comments

[xinunus]

TIME TO PAY THE PIPER. HE WAS CONVICTED OF A CRIME. TIME TO SERVE THE TIME.

[The Worm Turned]

As an American I am appalled at the attitude of lieniency directed toward Polanski.
He admitted to a heinous crime (drugging and raping a 13 year old). Then he fled the country, avoiding capture and confinement. The fact that it happened 30 years ago does not change the fact that he is a child rapist. He should be brought to justice and not pampered as a social elite.

His victim has forgiven him. I applaud her forgiveness, it probably doesn't come easy; it should ease Polanski's conscience. That does not detract from his offense one bit.

Why is any country arguing for his clemency? Is it because he is a famous movie maker? Well, how many crimes does that forgive?

I am shocked by the attitude of many posters here that his arrest is anything but justice and that he has gotten away from judgment for too long.

[Josh]

I am appalled at the indifference of some people to the rape of a child. Was he murderer? No. Did he avert justice? Yes. He deserves his punishment. Moral of the story; don't rape children and you won't have to worry about being extradited for your crime.

[KenInIowa]

So there are folks who should be exempt from our laws? Many here seem to suggest just that. So who gets a bye and who gets prosecuted?

I could care less if this was the guy down the street, he fled prosecution. Let the Justice system do it's job. Every American is guaranteed their day in court.

[Brian]

Its about time. This guy needs be thrown in jail for raping 13 year old and then he should be giving an additional life sentence for running. His guilt was proven the day he decided to become a fugitive.

[Darrel]

Hey, it is only child rape by drugging her and sodomy. Hey, it is only fleeing justice to France where they won't arrest or deport a known child rapist.

What's a little child rape, forced sodomy, and fleeing justice ampung friends?

I guess all the pedophiles are sticking together to protect this piece of human debris.

[J C B]

If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate, unless you are having a "photo" shoot Jack Nicholson's house.

[DCOOK]

WOW Kim,
So continuing to break the law by elluding officials because you raped a CHILD "equates" to time served. Thanks for the education, we are now all more intelligent.

[Rob Trent]

As the father of a young girl, I am very glad that the arrest was made. Roman Polanski is a coward who raped a girl barely a teenager. The fact that a the Europeans are willing to overlook this fact simply because the guy won an Oscar disgusts me and makes me proud to be an American. The girl that he raped has moved on? Of course she has- Polanski fled abroad because he couldn’t own up to what he did, thus she wasn’t able to get any closure. What do you expect her to do? And to all the Pro-Polanski/ Pro-Child Rape posts that I’m reading- you people disgust me. Kudos to the U.S. Marshalls and the American Justice System.

[SleepingNation]

Listen to yourselves. A man rapes and sodomizes a 13 year old child. A child. Runs from the law. Never faces justice other than a brief stint in jail while being evaluated. Have you no respect for the law? No respect for children? No decency? Comparisons to Saudi Arabia? God help this nation. You liberal, progressive minded moral relativists are not well. You should be ashamed.

[Myron]

This article mentioned that he failed to appear at his sentencing, but doesn't mention that he pleaded guilty (which is what led to the sentencing hearing). That's an important detail.

[R. Emmons]

I read the comments of Mr. Polanski's victim from the LA Times this story links to. I have two comments. First, she says, like Polanski, she was also sentenced in 1977 and blames it on the press, it was her attacker that started this process. Second, her last point in the column; there are lot's of other victims out there that deserve attention and concern, but she doesn't seem to understand that if swift and real punishment had been delivered to a celebrity like Polanski, there might be fewer victims in need of our attention and concern.

[Clue]

Some comparisons have been made to the justice system being compared to that of less developed countries. And several people have said if the victim moves on, then no legal actions should be taken.

If the victim were to decide whether or not punishment should be undertaken THAT would be backward. We have a legal system. We do not ask for the opinions of victims, we follow the laws we created. Why? Victims often have to make the unthinkable "acceptable" in their minds, so as to deal with the psychological blows they have been dealt. Victims of incest in families would often prefer that their attackers would not be brought to justice. Not because pedophilia, incest, and sexual assault are okay, but because the victims suffer from extreme psychological trauma.

The point is, sexual assault should not be ignored, regardless of the length of time that has transpired, or victim's feelings, because doing so sends a message to society that these actions are not serious enough to warrant legal action. Pedophilia, incest, and sexual assault are actions so traumatic that many victims state that they would prefer a physical injury/disability to the psychological trauma they have suffered. Do you really want to send the message to society that this is a crime is okay, as long as you hide from the justice system or are famous?

[Steve]

That the victim has moved on after 30+ years does not matter in this case. What matters is that someone raped her, then fled the country. He's gotten away with rape for 30+ years. You Europeans don't quite seem to grasp that, so let me explain.

1) Movie director commits one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, short of murder.
2) Movie director flees to Europe.
3) Europeans treat Movie Director as a hero, because he keeps them entertained.

Its no wonder you people are dieing out.

[Brian]

For all you people who think the US is the Saudi Arabia of the west or that putting people in jail is a pasttime or that we should just hug and let bygones be bygones...let's let your 13 year old daughter be raped and see how you feel.

[gosmall]

Regardless of how long ago it was or how many sarcastic comments show up on this blog about law enforcement, HE HAD SEX WITH A 13 YEAR OLD.

What if it was your daughter? You people make me sick.

[Dave]

As the father of a teenage daughter, I cannot begin to understand how anyone can rationalize Polanski's behaviour. This has nothing to do with Americans wanting to "stone people in the streets" or our sense of justice. If this guy infact drugged and sodomized a 13 year old girl...how can anyone justify that action? Is it a matter of one's fame? (Let those with money and fame walk?)

Give this guy a fair trial, with a jury of his peers, and let the results fall where they may.

About the ambitious stage mothers - bring that up in the trial if that is a factor.

For those saying "most Americans" (I guess that would be myself as well) - are less interested in seeing justice done - I am listening. Please let me know what the alternative is and how this should be handled.

I have personally seen how this type of abuse of minors can destroy lives and manifest long after that actual crime (yes statuatory rape is a crime...and I would imagine Polanski committed several more).

[steve]

I cannot believe all the people posting on this site who think that if you run away long enough, that initiating sexual contact with a 13 year old girl is somehow O.K. if you are a celebrity. Pedophilia is pedophilia. For all of you who think pedophilia is a disease and not a crime, they have found a cure. The injection of Pb, in solid form, 9mm's in diameter at extreme high velocity into the cranium, they will never touch another child again, guaranteed!!

[amny]

How many PARENTS of 13yr.old girls have posted here in favor of letting this pig off the hook?hmmmm? Quite frankley..if it was MY daughter who this pig raped he would never have dodged prison for as long as he has.I would have made it my life's purpose to bring this slob to justice.But hey,that's just me..or is it?

[Benjamin]

I don't see what all the uproar in Poland or France is...

If an American had committed statutory rape of a young girl in either of those 2 countries, I am sure that the authorities in the nation where the offense had occurred would want to see the offender punished. Or maybe not... Maybe it is something in the character of those nations, their respective governments or people who are willing to let such a thing happen without any consequence. There is no statute of limitations on rape. Like murder or manslaughter, we always keep hunting down those who commit such crimes in America, especially when children are the victims. I am delighted that baby-raping monster will spend the rest of his pathetic life in prison. I don't care how good a movie he makes....

[Name]

Saudia Arabia? If the USA were like Saudia Arabia the girl who was raped would have been stoned to death. I think Jake is confused.

Why are so many people interested in treating a monster like Polanski like a victim when he truly is the bad guy here?? The reason for having laws against rape and murder is so people don't commit them. When they do they deserve the punishment that goes along with those acts.

If you let the public pick and choose how to apply our LAWS the public will likely let Barabas the murderer go free and have Jesus crucified.

[Winkie]

I agree with most of the posters here. What kind of barbaric country refuses to permit famous movie directors to sodomize 13 year olds with impunity? I can understand if it was some schmuck plumber, lock him up and throw away the key! But we are talking about Roman Polanski here. Didn't the prosecutors see Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby and Knife in the Water? The man is a genius! We should be offering Roman a lifetime supplie of 8th graders and KY Jelly, if that's what it takes to get some decent movies made here in the United States. Has anyone else noticed how bad the movies were this summer? Free Roman!

[amny]

Do people really believe that this pig should be left alone or is that just a 'left-leaning'liberal trait.It seems to me that the same people who mock this arrest as a silly political stunt are the same people who would demand justice if the crime was against someone THEY loved.It's as if the law and accountability means nothing to them.This pig has given the American public the middle finger for years and flaunted his freedom(even cashed in on his 'fame for rape') and still there are people willing to rally behind him simply because time has passed? What a bunch of freaks!

[Derek]

I could care less if this arrest does not compute for Europe. The crime happened in the US. He is subject to the laws like everyone else who lives here. The notion that the whole thing should be dropped because he is a famous filmmaker, or because the vicim wants it all to be over, is ridiculous. Mr Polanski has plenty of money to hire the best attorneys, and will no doubt receive a much more "fair" proceeding than less fortunate law-breakers. If there was judicial or prosecutorial misconduct, let the courts sort that out. Let him face the law - not only the charges he has already pled to, but also the charges of fleeing the country prior to his sentencing.

[Not Afraid]

Hilarious to see the consdescending comments from people who otherwise live their lives in constant fear.

No the world is not a safer place just because Polanski is off the streets. But just because he is a member of the liberal Hollywood elite doesn't mean he doesn't have to pay the price for his crimes. And its ridiculous that the same people who spend 20 hours a week sorting their garbage and composting their feces over fear of Global Warming, want to are now acting everyone is overreacting by trying to bring a child rapist to justice. Hilarious. Liberals are a joke. They feel its OK to indulge your perversions, up to and including raping 13 year olds, with no consequence. But try to run a corporation that provides thousands of people a paycheck, health benefits, and continuing education and you are public enemy number one the firt time you take a bag of trash out.

This is why liberals don't run the world. They're simply too lazy, stupid and irresponsible. Every once in a while they get a guy like Clinton or Obama in office and act like their time has come. But instead they waste that time fortifying their welfare positions and promoting general debauchery and get run back into the hills for another decade or while the REAL Americans clean up their mess.

Rape children instead of adults. They exhale less CO2! Change!!