US fugitive accused in sexual abuse case deported from Indonesia after being found in bunker

Indonesian immigration authorities have arrested and deported a United States citizen wanted in his home country over a sexual abuse case after finding him hiding in a bunker at his residence in Depok, near Jakarta, officials said on Monday.

The man, identified by the initials AW and known by several aliases, was arrested on April 23, 2026, in Sawangan, Depok, West Java, after an investigation conducted in coordination with the US Embassy and American authorities.

According to Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko, AW entered Indonesia on 7 November 2011, with the intention of avoiding legal proceedings in the United States.

“We immediately conducted a preliminary investigation and a series of intelligence operations following the request, until the individual was successfully secured on 23 April 2026, in Sawangan, Depok,” Hendarsam said in a written statement.

Investigation began with victim's report

The case came to light after a woman identified as NM visited the Directorate General of Immigration on 5 December 2024, accompanied by her two children.

According to Hendarsam, NM reported that her residence permit in Indonesia had expired approximately five years earlier because her movements had been restricted by her husband, AW.

She also told immigration officials that she had been a victim of sexual abuse by AW in the United States.

“Immigration subsequently facilitated the return of NM and her children to the United States on 7 December 2024,” Hendarsam said.

Following their departure, Indonesian immigration authorities intensified coordination with the US Embassy to trace AW's legal status and background.

Multiple identities used over 15 years

The investigation revealed that AW had repeatedly changed his identity during the 15 years since arriving in Indonesia.

Authorities said AW became a US citizen through naturalisation on 4 May 2000, and held a US passport that expired in 2010.

After receiving information from the public and conducting further inquiries, immigration officers located AW at his residence in Sawangan.

Officials said family members attempted to obstruct the arrest operation.

“AW was found hiding inside a bunker in his house,” Hendarsam said.

The Directorate General of Immigration said it had received a formal request for assistance from the US Embassy on 5 March 2026, seeking AW's arrest.

Deportation and lifetime entry ban

Immigration authorities said AW committed serious immigration violations, including the use of false identities and the misuse of travel documents, offences regulated under Indonesia's Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011.

AW was placed in immigration detention before being deported from Indonesia on 4 June 2026.

According to Hendarsam, the deportation was carried out on Singapore Airlines flight SQ959 at 1:45 p.m., with three members of the US Marshals Service escorting him during the journey to the United States.

“Because the criminal offence was committed in the United States, he will undergo legal proceedings there,” Hendarsam said.

Indonesian authorities have also imposed a lifetime entry ban on AW under Minister of Immigration and Corrections Regulation No. 13 of 2025, preventing him from re-entering the country.

The Directorate General of Immigration said it continues to coordinate with US authorities regarding further legal proceedings.

“This success demonstrates that immigration supervision and law enforcement functions are operating effectively through good synergy and cooperation with law enforcement agencies and friendly countries,” Hendarsam said.