The U.S. Marshals have received and taken custody of an Austin business owner at the International Airport in Houston, who is charged in Travis County for an Aug. 15 sexual assault of a juvenile female.
Cody Rutledge Wilson, 30, a known gun enthusiast in Austin and owner of Defense Distributed, which is listed as a nonprofit, private defense firm, was arrested at a hotel in Taipei Sept. 21 by Taiwan police assisted by the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service.
Austin police obtained an arrest warrant from the 427th District Court in Travis County for Wilson for sexual assault after a counselor contacted the police Aug. 22 and advised authorities that a juvenile female, under the age of 17, had sex with a 30-year-old male, who was later identified to be Wilson.
The police investigation determined that Wilson initially engaged with the juvenile on the SugarDaddyMeet.com and met the girl at a coffee shop in South Austin before going to a North Austin Hotel, where Wilson allegedly assaulted the juvenile and paid her $500 in cash.
The Austin Police Department requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Sept. 19 after it was determined that Wilson had likely fled the Austin area.
“This was a collaborative effort that demonstrates the dedication of local, state, federal and international officials working together to bring this fugitive to justice,” said U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas Susan Pamerleau.
Wilson has been booked into the Harris County Jail located in Houston, where he has been turned over to state authorities to begin his judicial proceedings, with a bond set at $150,000.
(Photo courtesy of U.S. Marshal’s Service)
