Expat arrested on sexual assault charges in the U.S. faces deportation

A U.S. citizen living in Cuenca has been arrested on sexual assault charges in the U.S..

R.M. Godwin is taken into custody. (El Tiempo)

R.M. Godwin was identified when he tried to buy property and was picked up Tuesday outside the immigration office near the El Vergel Supermaxi. Immigration officials say he will be deported to the U.S.

According the Foreign Ministry, the U.S. FBI has been pursuing Godwin for several months and was able to locate him, with the help of the ministry, when he attempted to close on a property in Cuenca. The FBI says he had served a prison sentence for sexual assault and had violated parole reporting requirements when he came to Ecuador.

The ministry said that Godwin was living in Cuenca on a tourist visa and was arrested when he went to the immigration office to extend it.

Immigration and law enforcement officials say they are intensifying efforts to identify and deport foreign residents and temporary visa holders who have have violated the law in their home countries. “We are actively working with overseas law enforcement agencies and screening data bases to find these people and send them home,” said Azuay Province official Roberto Alvear. “It is a public safety issue for our communities.”