An Australian jiu-jitsu champion is believed to be living in a van on the NSW north coast after US police put a bounty on his head over a sexual assault accusation.
Izaak Joshua Michell faces arrest in Texas after Hays County Crime Stoppers put him on a Most Wanted poster with a $1,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
The 27-year-old is believed to be living out of a blue-grey Suzuki APV van after he was spotted four days ago in the North Wall car park in Ballina in NSW’s Northern Rivers region.
One local claimed to have encountered him at the popular coastal parking spot and shared their concerns in a Northern Rivers Facebook group.
‘I saw this man four days ago in the North Wall parking lot in Ballina,’ they posted.
‘He gave me a really bad feeling and made me feel extremely uncomfortable, so I left without hesitation.’
Other sources claim Michell has also been seen in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast and more recently in Byron Bay.
Several women have now come forward publicly to make new allegations against him after his former teammate, Hannah Griffith, spoke out.
Ms Griffith, the younger sister of professional grappler Luke Griffith and a three-time Pans No-Gi gold medallist, broke her silence on social media with a detailed statement.
One local claimed Izaak Michell is living out of a blue-grey Suzuki APV van after he was spotted in the North Wall car park in Ballina in NSW’s Northern Rivers region
Ms Griffith, the younger sister of professional grappler Luke Griffith, shared her claim on Instagram on December 29
‘I am normally a private person, and speaking publicly about my personal life is something I never imagined I would have to do,’ she wrote.
‘However, after deep reflection, I feel morally obligated to share what happened to me. Not for attention, but because silence allows harmful behaviour to continue.’
Griffith, 23, said the timing made the ordeal even more difficult, revealing the alleged assault occurred just one week before she was due to compete at the World Championships.
‘The past few weeks have been incredibly overwhelming,’ she wrote.
‘I carried a great deal of shame, and I was absolutely terrified that no one would believe me. That fear almost kept me silent.’
Michell was previously removed from the Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu gym in Austin, Texas, with the academy issuing a statement saying it had been advised that no further details should be made public at the time.
Further discussion about his sudden removal was aired on The Simple Man Podcast, which has since been taken offline.
After leaving the Texas-based gym, Michell reportedly travelled to Thailand while ADCC Trials were taking place, a move that raised further questions among figures in the jiu-jitsu community.
Izaak Joshua Michell faces arrest in Texas over the sex attack claims after Hays County Crime Stoppers put him on a Most Wanted list with a $1,000 reward
The Hays County Crime Stoppers wanted notice urges members of the public to use caution, warning that Michell is a martial arts expert.
Hays County Deputy Mark Andrews confirmed an arrest warrant had been issued.
‘Our agency is actively investigating Izaak Michell, and the investigation has resulted in the issuance of an arrest warrant against Michell for the offence of sexual assault, a second-degree felony,’ he said.
‘The investigation is still active and additional charges may follow. Our agency has requested that Michell be added to the Hays County Crime Stoppers Most Wanted list, which allows for the issuance of rewards for tips leading to Michell’s arrest.’
Michell is about 5ft 11in (180cm), and weighs around 85kg. He has a tattoo on his upper left arm and another on his left elbow and forearm.
Hays County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading directly to his arrest or indictment.
Before the allegations emerged, Michell had built a highly decorated career in martial arts.
The Adelaide-born fighter won the 2022 ADCC Asia and Oceania Trials and the 2022 Who’s Next Tournament. He also defeated Sebastian Attard to become the inaugural Subversion Jiu-Jitsu Invitational light heavyweight champion in March 2025.
Hays County Crime Stoppers released a ‘wanted poster’ for the martial arts fighter, urging members of the public to ‘use caution’
He was spotted living out of his blue-grey Suzuki APV van in North Wall car park in Ballina on NSW Northern Rivers district
Subversion has since stripped him of that title.
‘With the serious allegations that have been made against Izaak Michell, we are vacating the Light Heavyweight Championship effective immediately,’ the organisation said in a statement.
‘As this is an evolving situation, Subversion will be making no further comment at this time.’
Michell had also been competing under the Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu banner before being removed from its roster.
Gordon Ryan, a co-founder of Kingsway, confirmed the decision on Instagram.
‘Izaak Michell is no longer training or affiliated in any way with our gym. We have been advised that no further details should be made public at this time,’ he wrote.
Despite the allegations and international manhunt, Michell was seen in Australia as recently as November when he returned to Adelaide for his sister Jemma’s wedding, even walking her down the aisle.
Crime Stoppers is urging anyone with information about Michell’s whereabouts to contact Hays County Crime Stoppers anonymously online via its official channels.
