“House of Israel” Leader Turned Over to Canada after Decades on the Run

JACKSONVILLE � The former leader of a now extinct controversial and anti-government religious group that formed in East Texas has been transferred to Canada after nearly 35 years on the run. KETK reports House of Israel leader Robert Fotti, aka Robert Fox, was released from authorities in Texas to Canadian authorities on Tuesday. The case dates to a 1977 incident in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Officials say a man and his son riding a motorcycle were struck and killed by a car driven by Fotti after the car ran a red light.

Fotti, charged with dangerous driving, was convicted in 1978 and sentenced to nine months in jail. But officials say he fled to the United States prior to being incarcerated. After illegally entering the United States, Fotti gained resident alien status through an immigration amnesty and changed his name to “Robert Fox,” according to officials. Canadian authorities issued a warrant for his arrest in December 1980. In 1990, U.S. authorities advised Winnipeg police of Fotti’s whereabouts, but the extradition laws did not allow his return.

In 2008, the Jacksonville Police Department arrested and charged Fotti with tampering with government records which resulted in jail time. Due to his conviction, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services revoked Fotti’s alien status. In July 2013, Canadian authorities became aware of Fotti’s recent activities and began further investigation. They contacted U.S. authorities and a decision was made to deport Fotti based on his illegal activities in the United States.

Deportation hearings began for Fotti, which he fought, claiming he was not a Canadian citizen, but authorities located documentation that proved he was. The deportation hearings and appeals in the United States were concluded, which resulted in a Deportation-Removal Order for Fotti to be returned to Canada. Fotti was taken back to Winnipeg where he was processed on the outstanding warrant from 1980. He has been remanded into custody.