Missing Inverness busker Kim Gordon: Monterey County Sheriff's Office reports accused sex offender caught
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AN Inverness street trader who disappeared in the US while facing 24 charges, including rape, has been caught according to Monterey County Sheriff's Office.
It posted the news about Kim Gordon (55), also known as Kim or Kem Avis, on its Facebook page this morning.
Gordon was reported missing by his 17-year-old son Reuben after he failed to return from a swim while on holiday in California in February.
At the time of his disappearance Gordon was with Reuben, who was taken into protective custody after alerting Monterey County Police but was later released.
The location where Gordon went missing is on a notoriously dangerous stretch of coastline – but there was speculation the disappearance was fake.
An arrest warrant for Gordon was issued after he failed to appear to face trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in March.
Part of the Monterey County Sheriff's Office statement reads: "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 Coastguard helicopter, a Sheriff’s Office drone and our dive team to search for Avis with no success.
"We continued to investigate the case and learned that Avis was out on bail for 24-felony sexual abuse charges pending in Scotland. 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 Northern District of California – San Francisco – US Marshals 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."
