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Glen Stewart Godwin

b. 1958

American fugitive and murderer

Drug trafficker
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About Glen Stewart Godwin

Born 1958. Glen Stewart Godwin is an American drug trafficker.

Murder of Kim LeValley In 1980, Godwin was living in Palm Springs, California, working as a self-employed tool salesman, a mechanic, and a construction worker, with no discernible criminal history. Godwin and his roommate, Frank Soto, Jr., planned to rob a drug dealer and pilot, Kim Robert LeValley, who was once a friend of theirs. Godwin and Soto lured LeValley back to their condominium where Soto held him, Godwin punched and kicked him, tried to strangle him, then ultimately stabbed LeValley 26 times with a knife. On August 3, 1980, some Eagle Mountain residents found a blown-up pickup truck with remains of a human body inside of it abandoned in the desert.

Later, police identified the body and charged Godwin with first-degree murder. Although Soto testified against Godwin, Soto was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the murder in 1982. Godwin was sentenced for the murder and robbery to 26 years to life in prison in 1983.

Escape from Folsom State Prison In 1987, Godwin attempted to escape during his incarceration at Deuel Vocational Institute in California, and he was moved to Folsom State Prison, a maximum-security prison. Authorities believe Godwin's wife Shelly Rose Godwin and his former cellmate in Deuel, Lorenz Karlic, helped to plan his escape. and convicted for aiding Godwin's escape. Karlic died by suicide on February 12, 2002, while in custody at Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles, California. He had previously been arrested after a foot chase with deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He had been convicted in January 2002 of eight charges related to the pursuit which took place in La Crescenta in April 2001. Karlic was scheduled to be sentenced on February 25, 2002.

Capture and escape Godwin fled to Mexico, where he unsuccessfully participated in the illegal drug trade. He was arrested in Puerto Vallarta, later convicted for drug trafficking in Guadalajara, Mexico, and sentenced to seven years and six months to Puente Grande prison in 1991. While American authorities were working on Godwin's extradition proceedings, he allegedly killed a member of a Mexican drug cartel in prison. The new murder allegation delayed his extradition, which gave Godwin more time to execute another escape, which occurred in September 1991.

On March 15, 2021, Godwin was featured on the first episode of the revival of America's Most Wanted.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Drug trafficker
Nationality

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Glen Stewart Godwin's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Glen Stewart Godwin?

American fugitive and murderer

When was Glen Stewart Godwin born?

Glen Stewart Godwin was born on 26 June 1958 in Miami.

What is Glen Stewart Godwin's occupation?

Glen Stewart Godwin is a drug trafficker.

What nationality is Glen Stewart Godwin?

Glen Stewart Godwin is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Glen Stewart Godwin

· Wikidata: Q1073179

· DBpedia: Glen Stewart Godwin

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Glen Stewart Godwin. https://biography.guide/glen-stewart-godwin/

MLA: "Glen Stewart Godwin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/glen-stewart-godwin/.

Chicago: "Glen Stewart Godwin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/glen-stewart-godwin/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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