Tommy Ontko

Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair presenting Tommy Ontko (Customs & Border Protection) with Children's Champion Award at 10 Downing Street, London, England in 2004 for assisting in tracking down the killer of British schoolgirl, Caroline Dickinson. The assault and murder occurred in Saint Dinard, France in 1999, while thirteen year old Caroline was on a school trip with classmates and teachers. The case had gone cold, then in April of 2001 the Spanish suspect, an illegal alien, was determined to be in the United States in the Miami, Florida area. Coordination with Border Officials in Eastern Region resulted in the suspect being located in the Broward County Jail. He was re-arrested by Federal Agents with U.S. Immigration there. His DNA was obtained and comparison made with DNA from the suspect in Rennes, France. after DNA was deemed a match by Broward Sheriff Forensics Unit. Once French police also confirmed the DNA was a match, an Interpol warrant was obtained. The suspect was extradited to France. It was the first extradition in U.S. history for murder based only on DNA evidence. The suspect was tried and convicted, then sentenced to 30 years in prison. While serving the sentence, Spanish authorities tried him for similar crimes in their country. On his release from prison in France, he will be deported to Spain to serve 20 years there. It was later learned the suspect was a global serial rapist.