US child porn accused arrested in Taranaki

An American fugitive is expected to appear in court today after he was arrested in south Taranaki.

The 30-year-old man was shot with a Taser stun gun when he attempted to flee police in Opunake, 64km south-west of New Plymouth, on Saturday, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

An arrest warrant was issued for the man last week after he ran from customs officials in Wellington.

The man, who has been in New Zealand since 2004, is wanted in the United States on various charges including child pornography and violent sexual offending.

He fled from a house under surveillance on Saturday evening, Hawera Sergeant Ivan Smith said.

"He was challenged but he wasn't coming quietly," he told the newspaper.

It was the first time a Taser had been used in Tarankai.

The man was due to appear in New Plymouth District Court today.

- NZPA