AUSTIN — Taiwanese law enforcement arrested Cody Wilson, the Austin man who owns controversial 3D-printed gun company Defense Distributed and is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, according to a report by an East Asian media agency.
During a press conference Wednesday, Austin police said Wilson's last known location was in Taipei, Taiwan. Taiwan News said Friday Wilson was taken into custody at a hotel in Taipei's Wanhua District.
Federal and local officials in Austin said they could not immediately confirm the arrest but are working to gain more information.
While in East Asia, police said Wilson missed a scheduled flight back to the U.S.
"We know Mr. Wilson frequently travels for business, we don't know why he went to Taiwan. But we do know before he left, he was informed by a friend of the victim that she had spoken to police and police were investigating him for having sex with a minor," said Commander Troy Officer.
During a forensic interview with the Center with Child Protection on Aug. 27, the sexual assault victim told counselors she met Wilson through the website, SugarDaddyMeet.com. Court documents show Wilson used the profile, "Sanjuro," and told the victim that he was a "big deal." During the conversation, he also identified himself as "Cody Wilson." Police said the two exchanged cell phone numbers and continued their conversations using the Apple iMessage service on her phone.
The victim told police that on Aug. 15, she and Wilson met in person in the parking lot of Bennu Coffee on 515 South Congress Ave. Court documents show Wilson showed up in a black Ford Edge four-door sports utility vehicle with a license plate that matches one registered to Wilson's business, Defense Distributed. Court documents show there was surveillance video of this meeting.
The victim then told police that Wilson took her to the Archer Hotel at 3121 Palm Way. Surveillance cameras captured the two using the valet service, in the lobby and in the elevator.
The victim also said Wilson took her to room 718 where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. Afterward, she said he paid her $500.
When asked if there could be any confusion about the victim's age, Officer said there is no way.
"My detectives have interviewed and spoke with this victim and in their opinion, if someone mistakes her age, it would be because they think she's younger, not older than 16 years old that she is," said Officer.
Austin police told KENS 5's partner in Austin, KVUE on Wednesday they would be working with national and international law enforcement officers to locate him. The U.S. Marshals officially released a “wanted” poster for Wilson as well. KVUE is working to confirm Wilson's location with Austin Police and the U.S. Marshals.
