A Scottish busker accused of faking his own drowning has been arrested in the United States.
Kim Avis , a father of eight, who is wanted in Scotland over 21 sexual assault charges was cuffed cops in Colorado Springs, Colorado yesterday morning.
The 55-year-old, also known as Ken Gordon-Avis , was reported missing in February 25 by his 17-year-old son Ruben at California’s Monastery Beach, in Carmel, Monterey – a notorious spot for drowning deaths.
After three days of searching for him authorities in the US found no trace of him until he was tracked down last week by US Marshals.
Avis, from Inverness , will now go through a process in the next few months of being extradited to Scotland to face trial.
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said: "Today, we can report that 55-year old Kim Vincent Avis (aka Ken Gordon-Avis) was captured this morning by US Marshals in Colorado Springs, CO.
"Back in February, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office received a report from Avis’s juvenile son that his father did not return from a swim at Monastery Beach.
"Many resources were used, including a coast guard helicopter, a sheriff’s office drone and our dive team to search for Avis with no success.
"After speaking with his ex-wife, we became suspicious of the drowning report. We re-interviewed his son and determined he was not telling the truth.
"Avis’s son was returned to Scotland with the help of Monterey County Child Protective Services.
"Over the next few months, deputies worked with The US Marshals Service, Interpol, and Scottish authorities to secure an arrest and extradition warrant for AVIS.
"Thanks to the efforts of the Norther District of California -San Francisco- US Marshalls who were able to secure a warrant through Interpol and the Scottish authorities.
"Last week, US Marshals were able to track him to Colorado Springs due, in part, to a report in March that Avis was spotted in Monterey county driving a newer white ford van in the Big Sur area.
"Avis is being held by US Marshals until his extradition hearing in Colorado Springs scheduled for later this month."
