TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National Immigration Agency (NIA) is searching for a registered American sex offender who entered Taiwan in early October.
A document circulating on social media and fact-checking sites issued by the NIA alerting the Ministry of Education of the man's presence in Taiwan has been confirmed. According to the notice issued on Oct. 11, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) reported a 43-year-old American man with a criminal record entered Taiwan on Oct. 2, per TVBS.
According to AIT, Levi Forrest Wallace, was convicted in Oregon in 2001 for contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor. He was sentenced to 90 days in prison with a two-year probation period.
The document states that if his whereabouts are discovered, the NIA should be immediately notified. His last registration in the Oregon State Police Sex Offender Registry Section was on Sept. 9.
In 2010, Wallace was also convicted of public indecency, which was listed as a felony by the registry.
According to TVBS, the original document was sent to the National Police Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labor, and education ministry, likely out of concern that he may come to Taiwan to work as a cram school teacher and pose a threat to students.
The NIA confirmed to UDN the official document is authentic and said a task force had been set up to track Wallace. If located, he will be deported in accordance with the Immigration Act (入出國及移民法) and barred from future entry.
The NIA said that it was not until after Wallace entered Taiwan that it received notice from the AIT that he had a criminal record. Due to the involvement of foreign government intelligence and personal data, the NIA said it issued a confidential notice to monitor and locate Wallace, aiming to prevent him from obtaining work or residency permits in Taiwan.
