An American on the FBI's Most Wanted List for alleged sex crimes against children has been deemed a flight risk and will stay in a Canadian jail for now.
An immigration board hearing found Monday that Richard Goldberg is a threat to the public and also poses a flight risk.
Lucie Cliche, a government representative, said authorities are "highly concerned that Mr. Goldberg would represent a grave threat to the Canadian public, specifically ... children."
Goldberg fled to Canada in July 2001 and was arrested Saturday in his suburban Montreal apartment.
Before his arrest, Goldberg sent a package to Â鶹´«Ã½, containing a 26-page letter detailing his version of events and ending with an apology. It has now been turned over to police.
U.S. authorities said Goldberg also told a counselor about his past in recent weeks. That person then told a friend, who turned the fugitive over to police.
Prosecutors allege Goldberg, 61, fled the U.S. while on bail and entered Canada as a visitor with his own passport.
"The warrant (for his arrest) came out only days after he entered Canada," said Canadian Border Services spokesperson Erik Paradis.
He lived in a Montreal apartment and used the alias Terry Wayne Kearns, a retired Bombardier engineer.
Neighbours said Goldberg acted suspiciously.
"He was strange. He used to be outside with a pellet gun shooting squirrels, killing birds, banging the door," said Kevin Grey.
Police found a computer in Goldberg's residence, but have said there is no evidence he committed any crimes in Canada.
On Monday, the immigration board heard chilling details about Goldberg's alleged crimes. Officials say he kept rabbits and ducks and children's toys to make his Long Beach, Calif. home a magnet for neighbourhood kids.
U.S. officials accuse Goldberg of alleged attacks on girls under the age of 10, dating back to 2001.
There are also allegations that he captured these activities on videotape and that images were found on his computer.
"One of our government's key priorities is to fight crime in order to keep our families, our children and our communities safe," said Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day in a statement.
"Canada will not be a safe haven for pedophiles. This is something our government will not compromise on."
With a report from CTV's Genevieve Beauchemin in Montreal
