US Fugitive Wanted for Sexual Abuse Arrested in Depok Bunker After 15 Years on the Run

The Directorate General of Immigration announced the arrest of an American citizen, identified by the initials AW, in Sawangan, Depok, on 23 April. According to an Instagram post by the Directorate General of Immigration on Friday (5/6), AW was apprehended within a bunker at his residence in Depok.

AW is known to have entered Indonesia in 2011 to evade legal proceedings regarding sexual abuse cases committed in the United States. “The arrest was carried out after the Directorate General of Immigration received a request for assistance from the United States Embassy and conducted a series of investigations and intelligence operations,” stated the Directorate General of Immigration, as reported by CNNIndonesia.com on Sunday (7/6).

The case came to light after a woman, identified by the initials NM, reported to the Directorate General of Immigration regarding restrictions on her freedom imposed by AW, noting that she was also a victim of sexual abuse. After facilitating the return of NM and her children to the US, Immigration authorities coordinated with US authorities to trace AW’s legal status, eventually locating him in the Depok area.

“From an immigration perspective, AW has been proven to have committed serious violations, including the use of false identities and the misuse of travel documents,” the authorities added. AW is subject to immigration administrative measures, including detention, deportation, and a ban on re-entry. “This success demonstrates the effectiveness of immigration oversight and the commitment of the Immigration Department to maintaining national security and sovereignty through the application of the selective policy principle,” said Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko.