MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested in Talisay City, Cebu an American citizen wanted in the United States for sexually abusing a child.

BI chief Jaime Morente on Thursday identified the arrested American national as Charles Roy Atkinson, 33.

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Morente said that Atkinson was arrested last Saturday, April 27.

The US Embassy said Atkinson is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Court of Harrison County, Mississipi on January 24, 2013.

Atkinson was charged with the crime of exploitation of a child, which, under Mississippi law, carries a penalty of five years up to 40 years imprisonment and a fine of from $50,000 to $500,000.

Morente said Atkinson is scheduled for deportation following the cancellation of his passport.

“His presence here poses a risk to children, anyone of whom could be his next victim,” Morente said in a statement.

“We were informed by American authorities that his passport has already been cancelled,” he added.

The BI’s Fugitive Search Unit chief Bobby Raquepo said Atkinson has been hiding in the country since his arrival on January 22, 2013, a day before the court filed a case against him.

“He must have received information about it, so he fled to the Philippines to evade his arrest,” said Raquepo.

Mississippi statutes describe exploitation of a child as causing, soliciting or knowingly permitting any child to engage in or simulate sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct by any means. /gsg

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