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Washington, D.C. - U.S. Customs Service agents in Orlando, Fla., yesterday arrested an accused child pornographer who has been a fugitive for roughly eight years and was on the U.S. Customs Service list of Top Ten federal fugitives.

At approximately 10:30 AM yesterday, U.S. Customs agents arrested Timothy Allen Groves, 55, at his place of employment in Orlando. Groves made an initial court appearance before a federal magistrate judge yesterday at 3:00 PM in the Middle District of Florida.

In December 1992, the U.S. Customs Resident Agent-in-Charge office in Kansas City, Missouri launched an investigation into Bob Wilson for the international importation and distribution of child pornography. The investigation revealed that "Bob Wilson" was an alias for Mr. Groves, a teacher who has experience working with handicapped children and the Big Brother program.

On September 24, 1994, a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas returned a two-count indictment against Groves charging him with distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. The indictment alleged that Groves sent child pornography to an address in London, England, and also received child pornography in Lenexa, Kansas.

Groves promised to turn himself in after the charges were brought, but he disappeared. He was subsequently placed on the U.S. Customs Service list of Top Ten federal fugitives.

After years of searching, Customs agents in Kansas City recently developed new information that Groves was using the alias "Jeremiah A. Molloy" and was residing in the Orlando, Fla., area. Investigation and surveillance by Customs agents in Orlando confirmed that Groves was residing in Orlando and was employed as an admissions officer at a local university.

Yesterday, Customs agents from Kansas City and Orlando arrested Groves in the parking lot of the university. Groves is scheduled to be transported to Kansas City next week to face the federal charges against him.