FBI Suspect Apprehended in Chiang Mai on US Warrant

An American suspect, wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was apprehended in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on May 12, according to local reports. The 58-year-old American, identified as Joseph Frances Chinnock, also known as Joseph Kelly, was sought under a US arrest warrant for alleged assault and stalking offenses. Thai police acted swiftly after receiving intelligence from the FBI. The FBI had reportedly characterized Chinnock as a significant threat, citing alleged behavior involving sexual stalking and harassment of children and women. The US warrant specifically details three counts of assault and three counts of stalking. Furthermore, the US Embassy had previously revoked his passport. Following information from the FBI's office in Thailand, Thai Immigration Police initiated an investigation. Checks revealed that Chinnock had entered Thailand on a Privilege Entry (PE) visa on March 23, 2026. After verifying his entry records, immigration police sought and obtained approval to revoke his visa. Investigators subsequently located him residing at a condominium in the Suthep subdistrict of Mueang Chiang Mai district. Around 10 PM, officers from Immigration Police Region 5 and the Central Investigation Bureau successfully located and apprehended Chinnock. He was informed of his visa revocation and then transported to Chiang Mai Immigration for detention. Reports indicate he will later be transferred to immigration police investigators for further legal proceedings. This arrest aligns with a directive from National Police Chief Kittirat Phanphet, urging police nationwide to inspect, suppress, and dismantle illegal foreign criminal networks within a three-month timeframe. This policy targets transnational crime, illegal entry, the use of Thailand as a transit point or hideout, illicit foreign employment, and nominee-style businesses that undermine public order. Thai Immigration Police confirmed they maintain comprehensive intelligence databases on foreign nationals linked to transnational criminal networks, illegal migrant smuggling, and other offenses.